Fire safety developments – PEEPs and mandating two staircases in high-rise residential buildings

Our most recent fire safety update looks at recent developments concerning (i) personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) for disabled people in high-rise residential buildings, and (ii) mandating two staircases in all new high-rise residential buildings

Last month, the High Court ruled that a Government decision to reject the implementation of PEEPs for disabled people in high-rise residential buildings was not unlawful. The ruling follows a case brought at the end of last year by the founders of the Cladding Leaseholder Disability Action Group (Claddag). There have, however, been indications from the Government that the implementation of PEEPs will remain a key priority: this announcement was made last month by the Rt Hon Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), in a House of Commons debate.

The Secretary of State also announced that the Government will require two staircases in all new residential high-rises taller than 18 metres, rather than the 30 metre threshold previously proposed. At the end of 2022, the Government published a consultation proposing to improve fire safety for high-rise residents by mandating two staircases in all new residential buildings above 30m; it has now opted for a stricter fire safety requirement after consulting on the 30 metre rule. We await further details. DLUHC states that it will work quickly with industry and regulators over the summer to design transitional arrangements and work on interim measures for projects already underway.