London Mayor demands tougher fire safety for new buildings

New developments in London will have to comply with tougher fire safety standards in the wake of the Grenfell disaster.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said safety considerations must be central to the design and operation of all new buildings.

His new policy will mean robust fire safety plans and features must be incorporated into building designs from the outset.

Planning applications for all major developments will need to be accompanied by an independent ‘Fire Statement’ – produced by a qualified third-party assessor.

Khan, said: “The safety of Londoners is my first priority and it is absolutely essential that we learn every lesson we can from the terrible Grenfell tragedy, and do everything within our power to make sure nothing like it can happen again.

“My new draft London Plan will, for the first time, require that the ‘highest standards’ of safety are set out at the planning stages of new developments in the capital, so that they can be incorporated into the design and build, and to give Londoners confidence that they will be as protected as possible should an emergency unfold.”

London Fire Brigade Director of Operations Tom George said: “The Grenfell tragedy has put an unprecedented spotlight on fire safety and it’s now vital that Government, local authorities, builders and developers seize this once in a generation opportunity to raise fire safety standards to the highest possible level across all future building developments in the capital, whether they are residential or commercial.

“Only by making fire safety a priority during every part of a building’s life – from the earliest stages of the planning process, throughout its construction, after its completion and through any maintenance and refurbishment work  – will we see a significant improvement to safety standards in the capital’s buildings that will reassure those who live and work in them that they are as safe as possible.”

Until now, it has been possible for developers to delay addressing fire safety until the building control application stage of development.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/11/27/london-mayor-demands-tougher-fire-safety-for-new-buildings/

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