This Could Save Your Life - So Make Sure It's Working Properly

A recent report highlighted a concerning issue: many smoke alarms in rental properties are not functioning properly. At the same time, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is calling for a more comprehensive approach to fire safety in residential buildings, stressing that sprinklers alone shouldn't be seen as a cure-all.

RIBA’s View on Sprinklers and Fire Safety

While RIBA supports the use of sprinklers in high-rise flats as an effective life safety measure, they caution that sprinklers should not be used as a substitute for other essential safety measures. They emphasize that fire safety standards should remain high and be seen as a complete package, not just focused on one element.

Urgent Need for Enhanced Fire Safety Regulations in Residential Buildings

In addition to sprinklers, RIBA advocates for centrally addressable fire alarm systems in new and converted multiple-occupancy buildings. This call for stronger fire safety measures aligns with the need for updated and more stringent regulations following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

RIBA’s Call for a Fire Safety Overhaul

RIBA's Jane Duncan notes that it's been over two years since Grenfell, and yet fire regulations in England are still inadequate. She points out that Scotland and Wales have already implemented stricter fire safety measures, including mandatory sprinklers in new residential buildings.

Urgent Call for Enhanced Fire Safety and Building Regulation Overhaul

RIBA is urging the next government to prioritize the radical overhaul of building regulations, focusing on improving fire safety in residential buildings. This is a crucial step toward preventing future tragedies and ensuring that fire safety measures are up to modern standards.

The Importance of Regular Smoke and Fire Alarm Checks

Alongside calls for regulatory change, it's essential for landlords, property managers, and residents to check smoke and fire alarms regularly. This includes testing and changing batteries, especially around high-risk times like the holiday season when electrical devices, candles, and fires are more commonly used. Regular maintenance of alarms could be the difference between life and death.