High risk resi: fire safety must go in at the start

摘要

With the implementation of the Building Safety Act we look forward to a wholesale reform of the Building Regulations system in England, but for higher risk residential buildings the first piece in the jigsaw has been in place since August 2021, when Planning Gateway One was introduced. This brought in measures to ensure fire safety matters were considered at the planning stage for schemes involving a relevant high rise residential building - 18m or more in height or seven or more storeys. Planning Gateway One fire statements must provide information about: 1.The principles, concepts and approach relating to fire safety 2.Site layout 3.Emergency vehicle access and water supplies for firefighting purposes 4.Consultation undertaken on issues relating to the fire safety of the development 5.How any policies relating to fire safety in relevant local development documents have been taken into account.