This research is a key step forward in the PV Fire Intelligence Network’s mission to create a national conversation that will improve the safety of solar PV panels. The responses will help the network to establish reliable data on the causes and consequences of solar PV-related fires and recommend solutions to reduce the risk posed by them in the future.

The research covers topics including work practices, near misses and fire incidents:

*work practices: general installation and maintenance practices across the solar PV industry

*near misses: events that could have resulted in a fire, but were prevented before an incident occurred

*fire incidents: all solar PV-related fire incidents

The online questionnaire will be open until 30 June. Participants are invited to complete only the sections relevant to their expertise and experience. All responses will be treated as confidential to support open and honest input and to help ensure the findings deliver the greatest possible insight and value.

Participants can visit https://www.pvfin.org/ for more information and/or send an e-mail to [email protected]

Identifying the threats

Raman Chagger, principal consultant at the Building Research Establishment  and lead for the PV Fire Intelligence Network, explained: “The results from this questionnaire will enable us to identify the threats and corresponding Best Practice for the fast-evolving solar PV sector.”

Chagger added: “Ensuring safety in solar PV systems is essential if we’re going to encourage their adoption and, ultimately, make the successful transition to clean energy. Participation from industry professionals is essential to achieve this goal.”

The PV Fire Intelligence Network was established last October as a Steering Group of leading organisations to analyse the fire safety of solar PV systems. Solar PV and component manufacturers, fire experts and solar safety solution providers form the network. Members include the MCS Company, the Fire Industry Association, the CGM Group UK, Enphase Energy, IMO Precision Controls, PVStop, SolarEdge Technologies, ArcBox (a division of Viridian Solar) and Solar Energy UK.

Solar PV is a critical element of the UK’s green transition, increasing the need for up-to-date and reliable data on the fire risk posed by these systems to promote their take-up among homeowners, businesses and the public sector.

In the pages of ‘Addressing the Risks from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)’, the EAC also calls for the Government to adopt a stronger approach towards regulating PFAS to ensure that those who pollute waterways and soil pay for it to be cleaned up, establish a national fund for remediation and invest in technologies designed to destroy such chemicals safely.

PFAS are a family of more than 10,000 man-made substances. Due to their highly resistant qualities, they’re often used by the military and the Emergency Services, as well as in household products including frying pans. However, those same qualities mean that PFAS can accumulate in the environment and in people’s bodies for decades. Some research suggests they could be linked to serious health issues such as decreased fertility, developmental delays and certain cancers.

Restricting PFAS

The EAC warns that the risk of new PFAS substances emerging faster than they can be assessed leaves regulators “struggling to keep pace” with industry and can lead to banned substances being replaced by harmful alternatives.

Without group-based restrictions, the Government risks taking a “whack-a-mole” approach towards PFAS regulation, the Committee warns.

MPs state that the Government should adopt an essential-use approach towards regulating PFAS and prioritise rapidly restricting the use of PFAS in non-essential applications. It should bring forward restrictions on PFAS in non-essential consumer products such as food packaging, cookware and school uniforms, with a phased restriction from 2027.

They also warn that voluntary action on PFAS or self-regulation by industry are not sufficient to reduce PFAS emissions. They recommend the Government takes “preventative and precautionary action” to reduce PFAS exposure.

The EAC welcomes the Government’s action to set limits for PFAS in drinking water, but warns that “significant gaps” remain in terms of limiting exposure to PFAS through food and agriculture.

The Committee is calling for the Government to set limits on the levels and types of PFAS permitted in food. While consumer products containing PFAS remain on the market, the Government should introduce interim limits and standardised labelling to inform consumers.

Remediation method

The Committee recommends that the Government applies the ‘polluter pays principle’, which sees those who cause pollution bearing the cost of cleaning it up to prevent ongoing and historic PFAS contamination. It should consult by March 2027 on establishing a national PFAS Remediation Fund.

As part of this Fund, the EAC recommends that the Government explores the implications of an emissions levy for PFAS to hold polluters responsible and also considers options for extending the polluter pays principle to products manufactured overseas and imported to the UK. Where no responsible party can be identified, it should provide dedicated central Government funding for local authorities to remediate.

Once remediated or removed from the environment, PFAS must still be destroyed. However, the UK’s current capacity to destroy PFAS is reliant on high-temperature incineration and only two hazardous waste incinerators in the UK are permitted to destroy PFAS.

The Committee therefore warns that the UK’s current incineration capacity is “insufficient”. It says that the Government should assess how much PFAS-containing waste it expects from future restrictions and whether the UK’s high-temperature incineration capacity is sufficient. It should also commit (within six months) to fund the R&D of destruction technologies that use alternatives to incineration.

Cost to the environment

Toby Perkins MP, chair of the EAC, commented: “From frying pans to fire extinguishers, PFAS are now central to everyday and some life-saving products. Nearly all of us will have some level of PFAS in our bodies. Evidence we heard throughout our inquiry process suggests that our dependence on PFAS has come with a cost to the environment and, perhaps, to human health as well.”

Perkins added: “The Government has already published a PFAS Action Plan. That’s an important step that the Committee welcomes, but it doesn’t go far enough. It appears to be a plan to eventually have a plan rather than a concrete set of commitments designed to reduce and remediate PFAS. We don’t need to panic, but we do need to take sensible precautions.”

The EAC report calls for the Government to phase out PFAS uses that are clearly non-essential, such as in kitchen equipment and school uniforms, and to take a precautionary approach to approving new PFAS. Rather than waiting for proof that a chemical is harmful before banning it, companies should need approval before they introduce a new PFAS substance.  

“The Government must also ensure that those who pollute with PFAS pay for the damage they cause,” explained Perkins. “It must consult on establishing a national PFAS Remediation Fund and explore options to truly hold polluters to account. Where no-one can be held accountable, local authorities must be given the funds they need to clean up.”

Perkins continued: “Other nations in Europe have already taken stronger steps to ban PFAS than we have here in the UK. We risk our citizens and environment continuing to have greater exposure than our European counterparts if we fail to catch up. The Government has all the information it needs to eradicate PFAS from the environment and deter future pollution. Waiting will only make the problem worse. Now is the time to act.”

Focused approach

Andy Spence, managing director of Britannia Fire, has responded to the EAC’s report. “I welcome the report,” urged Spence, “which reflects the thorough and focused approach taken by the EAC.”

Spence continued: “In June last year, I was invited to address the EAC in the House of Commons and provide an industry viewpoint on the challenges facing the fire safety industry in achieving a smooth transition away from PFAS firefighting foams. The MPs listened carefully to my concerns and have highlighted them within the report, in particular the issue of impending bottlenecks and rising costs for the disposal of PFAS foam waste, with only two approved PFAS incinerating facilities currently operational in the UK.”

Further, Spence noted: “I agree wholeheartedly with the findings that urgent action needs to be taken. The UK is lagging behind Europe in terms of restricting the use of PFAS. We haven’t kept pace and need to catch up.”

Continuing that them, Spence said: “We eagerly await the recommendations from the Health and Safety Executive following a six-month consultation process on proposed restrictions of PFAS in firefighting foam and hope that swift action to phase them out follows soon after.”

Although the phasing out of PFAS for some essential applications may be challenging, banning PFAS foams in fire extinguishers is, according to Spence, “an easy win”. There are PFAS-free foam alternatives already available as effective and affordable replacements. Responsible customers are already beginning to make the switch, which is bringing the issue of safe disposal of PFAS foams to the foreground.

Spence concluded: “The industry now needs firm commitment from Government and investment in innovations and technologies so that a swift PFAS phase-out and adequate, safe and economical disposal of foam can be achieved to help minimise the impact of these harmful chemicals on the environment and human health.”

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “I would like to thank Fiona MacGregor for her years of leadership in driving up the quality of social homes and holding social landlords to account.”

Reed added: “I warmly welcome Jonathan Walters’ appointment. I know his invaluable expertise will help us to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation and ensure that social landlords are providing safe, decent and high-quality homes.”

Crucial time

Bernadette Conroy, chair of the Regulator of Social Housing, explained: “I’m delighted that the Secretary of State has approved the appointment of Jonathan Walters as CEO. This news comes at a crucial time for the social housing sector. Set against a backdrop of global uncertainty, the country needs a step change in the delivery of new homes and an improvement in the quality of existing homes and services.”

Conroy added: “Jonathan’s many years of experience mean that he’s well placed to lead the Regulator of Social Housing as it changes to further develop its role at the centre of the social housing sector.”

In addition, Conroy commented: “On behalf of the Board, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Fiona MacGregor for the huge contribution she has made as CEO, leading the Regulator of Social Housing through the expansion of its consumer remit. She leaves the regulator in a good position to tackle the new challenges it faces.”

Driving improvements

Speaking about his new appointment, Jonathan Walters said: “Having more and better social homes is vital for people and the wider economy. Regulation is central to making that happen, driving landlords to improve their homes and services and building as many high-quality social homes as they can.”

Further, Walters observed: “I also want to see new models and new ideas coming forward that will ensure the delivery of high-quality social homes from landlords that have a long-term sustainable commitment to social housing in England.”

In conclusion, Walter stated: “The social housing sector continues to face economic challenges. It will need to change and develop and so will the Regulator of Social Housing if it’s going to play a full role in this exciting agenda. I look forward to leading the regulator to take on these challenges.”

Automation is increasingly used across healthcare, education, transport and commercial sector buildings to improve accessibility, manage footfall and support safer movement. However, retrofitting automation to manual fire doors isn’t always a simple upgrade. Modifications such as installing operators, routing cables or replacing closing devices can alter the door’s construction and, potentially at least, affect its integrity as a fire-resisting system.

In response, ADSA has brought together a cross-industry Steering Group including representatives from leading manufacturers Record UK, dormakaba and GEZE UK alongside those of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, the British Woodworking Federation and also a leading fire test house.

Controlled testing will be carried out to replicate common retrofit scenarios, with the initial focus on timber fire doors. The aim is to understand how typical modifications – such as drilling for cabling or changing hardware – influence fire performance and build a robust evidence base for the industry.

Fire performance

Darren Hyde, technical and training manager at ADSA, said: “Many of the questions we receive now relate to automating existing fire doors. When you retrofit automation, you’re potentially changing the construction of the door. What we want to do as an industry is understand exactly how those modifications affect fire performance.”

While new-build projects benefit from tested and fully specified door systems, retrofit environments are far less predictable.

“In new-build scenarios,” continued Hyde, “manufacturers can provide clear test evidence for complete systems. In retrofit situations, that level of certainty doesn’t always exist. We want to close the gap in understanding.”

Expected later on this year, the  findings from the test programme will inform new guidance for engineers, specifiers and building owners. Rather than prescribing a single solution, the guidance will help professionals to assess the impact of common modifications and apply practical measures (such as appropriate cable routing, fire stopping and installation methods) in order to maintain door integrity.

Accessibility and fire safety

The initiative also reinforces the need to consider accessibility and fire safety together. While automation delivers clear benefits, it must be implemented with a full understanding of its impact.

At the same time, ADSA recognises that full door replacement isn’t always necessary. With the right technical approach, many existing fire doors can be adapted safely and responsibly.

By bringing together industry expertise, testing and practical guidance, ADSA and its partners aim to close the knowledge gap around retrofit automation and support safer and more informed decision-making across the built environment.

*Further information is available online at www.adsa.org.uk

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the ‘Responsible Person’ to ensure the safety of building occupants by having effective fire safety arrangements in place including carrying out a suitable written fire risk assessment, implementing (and maintaining) fire precautions and providing staff training.

The Fire Safety Order mandates identifying risks, maintaining equipment, ensuring clear escape routes and reviewing risk assessments on a regular basis.

Fire safety Enforcement Notices are legal documents issued by Fire Authorities when a premises fails to comply with safety regulations, in turn posing risks to occupants. They’re used to mandate, within specific timeframes, necessary improvements that must be made.

On 2 November 2022, a complaint was received by the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service regarding fire safety deficiencies at the Grade II-listed property in Brighton, which had been converted into flats. An urgent inspection was carried out and interim safety measures put in place to enable residents to continue to sleep at the property.

The premises was subsequently audited by fire safety inspecting officers whereupon several non-compliances with benchmark fire safety standards were identified. This included the absence of a fire risk assessment, insufficient protection to the means of escape (presenting a risk to residents evacuating in case of fire) and a failure to adequately maintain the fire detection and warning system. Due to the serious nature of the deficiencies, a formal Enforcement Notice was served with deadlines set for compliance.

At subsequent inspections to establish whether the Enforcement Notice had been addressed, it was found that a fire risk assessment was not completed on time and work required to the internal fire resisting doors had not been done.

Failure to comply with any requirement imposed by an Enforcement Notice is an offence under Article 32(1)(d) of the Fire Safety Order 2005. It’s also an offence under Article 32(1)(a) for any ‘Responsible Person’ to fail to comply with any requirement or prohibition imposed by Articles 8 to 22 and 38 (fire safety duties) where that failure places one or more relevant persons at risk of death or serious injury in the event of a fire.

Legal responsibility

‘13 Bedford Square Limited’ pleaded guilty to fire safety offences at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 8 December last year. The company accepted that it had failed to comply with an Enforcement Notice served by the East Sussex Fire Authority requiring improvements to fire safety measures. Brighton Magistrates’ Court issued the £4,000 fine on 9 April.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service station manager and legal and enforcement lead Jake Kaye said: “Those in charge of fire safety have a legal responsibility to carry out and record a fire risk assessment. Good management of fire safety is essential to make sure fires are unlikely to occur and, if they do, that they’re likely to be controlled or contained quickly, effectively and safely. It’s vital that everyone can escape to a place of safety easily and quickly when necessary.”

Kaye continued: “Maintaining fire detection and warning systems is key, as is providing a protected route for occupants to leave the building when an alarm sounds. Premises that have been converted into flats and have shared common parts such as corridors and stairways are often lacking a fire risk assessment. This is regarded as a widespread problem by the Fire Authority. It’s fundamental to how the ‘Responsible Person’ will identify what they need to do to prevent fire and keep people safe.”

In conclusion, Kaye noted: “Those responsible for fire safety in premises are reminded of the consequences of not complying with their legal obligations or not complying with the requirements detailed within any Enforcement Notices issued by our fire safety inspecting officers.”

George O’Reilly (assistant director for risk reduction at the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service) explained: “I would like to thank Brighton Magistrates’ Court for its time and deliberations on this matter as well as my legal team and staff for their efforts in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.”

Further, O’Reilly said: “East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is legally required to enforce the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. We take this responsibility seriously and will not hesitate to take legal action against anyone responsible for placing people at risk of death or injury from fire due to their failure to meet the requirements of this legislation.”

This one-day gathering, which is sponsored by Wintech, will bring together key policymakers, industry pioneers and thought leaders on 3 June at the University of Wolverhampton. Topics to be covered include curtain walling fire safety, the impact of residential fire sprinkler systems on lithium-ion battery fires and aspects relating to smoke control.

Panel discussions will be held at the end of each morning and afternoon session, thereby ensuring delegates have ample opportunity to interact with speakers and ask questions. The day will finish with a drinks reception sponsored by Belimo that affords further opportunities for more networking in an informal setting.

James Lane CEng FIFireE, the IFE’s International President, is hosting the event. Lane commented: “Following the success of its inaugural year, the International President’s Technical Conference returns in 2026 as a must‑attend event for members of the fire safety community. Conference provides a vital platform for bringing together expertise from across industry, policy, research and practice to address today’s fire safety challenges, while also exploring the technologies and ideas shaping the future.”

Lane added: “By fostering collaboration, innovation and open discussion, the event plays a crucial role in helping us to build safer and more resilient communities. Conference also reflects the IFE's ongoing mission to strengthen knowledge, collaboration and forward thinking across the global fire sector.”

*Limited delegate places are available. View the full programme and purchase tickets by visiting the IFE’s website

**Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Join Wintech, Belimo, the F.I.R.E Consultancy, DCCH Experts and the University of Wolverhampton and gain visibility at this leading fire safety event. View the Sponsor Brochure to find out more

***Further information concerning the IFE can be accessed online at www.ife.org.uk

Responding to the Government consultation entitled ‘Improving Proportionality and Building Safety Outcomes in Building Control: Telecommunications Work’, the FPA has highlighted concerns from its membership that penetrations through fire-resisting construction are frequently poorly managed and inadequately reinstated. The organisation has stated that any relaxation of oversight could increase the risk posed to life and undermine fire compartmentation.

While recognising the intention to improve proportionality, the FPA has cautioned that current problems stem not from excessive regulation, but from a lack of assurance that work is competently completed.

In its consultation response, the FPA explained: “Building Control procedural requirements and the drilling of holes for anything, including fibre optic cabling, are two separate issues. The procedural requirements ought to guarantee the fire safety protection measures are compliant. If they do not, then they are the wrong requirements.”

The FPA has noted that even minor works can present serious risks where fire-resisting elements are breached. “There is the potential for the spread of fire or smoke through deficient fire-protected structure, which may lead to a risk of death or serious injury.” FPA members “generally view the risk from uncontrolled drilling and inadequate fire stopping as high.”

Lack of reliable information

A key concern raised by the FPA is the lack of reliable information available to installers. “In many buildings, accurate and up-to-date ‘as-built’ drawings are not readily available, making it difficult for installers or ‘Responsible Persons’ to confirm whether a wall is fire-resisting or to verify its original level of protection”. This uncertainty can result in breaches being left inadequately sealed and remaining undetected for long periods of time.

The FPA has also warned that reducing notification or approval requirements could render unsafe works invisible to enforcing authorities. “There is a very clear risk of works being permitted under dispensations that allow them to become invisible to enforcing authorities.” The FPA has also noted that this could remove the requirement to consult Fire and Rescue Authorities on material changes to occupied premises.

Drawing on lessons learned from previous fatal fires, the FPA has stressed that breaches in compartmentation can have catastrophic consequences, duly citing the 2009 Lakanal House fire (where “the systematic deconstruction of fire resistance of the building over time and multiple refurbishments led to fire and smoke spreading horizontally and vertically”).

Survey feedback from FPA members strongly opposes any blanket dispensation for fibre optic cabling works, with the FPA’s response reporting that “most felt it would not be appropriate to reduce or remove Building Control procedures for drilling holes for fibre optic cabling, even with assurances that safety would be maintained”, with many members emphasising that “any penetration through fire-resisting barriers requires proper controls, documentation and oversight.”

Competence, assurance and traceability

The FPA has argued that any proportionate approach must focus on competence, assurance and traceability. Members have highlighted the importance of “mandatory use of tested and approved fire stopping products,” clear records of work and the effective handover of information to building owners and ‘Accountable Persons’.

Ultimately, the FPA concluded that weakening procedural safeguards without robust alternative controls would be unjustified. The FPA’s consultation response contains the warning: “It’s not reasonable to presume, without reliable evidence, that work affecting fire protection will be carried out to an appropriate standard.”

*Further details related to the consultation can be found by accessing the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s website

This revised 58-page document has been developed in response to changes in legislation and the recommendations that emerged from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. It provides clear and practical guidance for ‘Responsible Persons’, designers, regulators and Fire and Rescue Services, while supporting a consistent approach towards the provision and management of SIBs.

The guidance reflects the current regulatory framework, including the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025.

As expectations around building safety continue to evolve, the Code of Practice sets out recommendations on the specification, location, security and maintenance of SIBs, as well as the development and management of Emergency Response Packs (ERPs). It highlights the importance of ensuring that Fire and Rescue Services personnel have access to reliable and up-to-date information to support effective decision-making during an incident.

Needs of resident

There’s a strong emphasis throughout on the needs of residents, particularly so those individuals who may require assistance to evacuate. The guidance incorporates the requirements for Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs) and promotes the importance of handling sensitive information securely, while also ensuring that it remains accessible when needed.

This updated Code of Practice supports a more consistent and co-ordinated approach across the sector, providing a practical framework to help improve building safety and support effective Emergency Services response.

Availability of information

Ian Moore, CEO of the Fire Industry Association, stated: “The need to ensure that information is available to the Fire and Rescue Service in a consistent format to assist with emergency response, particularly so when taking into account those with mobility, cognitive or sensory impairments, is absolutely crucial. This guidance helps to ensure that those most in need of support are fully considered in the decisions and plans for managing an incident. This is why the Fire Industry Association is pleased to co-produce this Code of Practice.”

Phil Garrigan OBE KFSM, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, observed: “In recent years there has, and quite rightly, been a significant focus on the safety of buildings in terms of their design, construction, materials and the competence of those involved in the process. These factors are critically important. However, we must not lose sight of the fact that residential buildings are not simply assets or structures. They’re people’s homes.”

Garrigan continued: “Everyone has a fundamental right to feel safe where they live, particularly so those with mobility, cognitive or sensory impairments. The National Fire Chiefs Council strongly welcomes the emphasis within this Code on the protection of vulnerable individuals and the requirement for accurate and up‑to‑date information to be provided through Emergency Response Packs. Ensuring that firefighters have timely access to vital information during an incident supports informed decision‑making and enables those most at risk to be properly considered in operational planning and response procedures.”

*Copies of the Code of Practice for the Provision of Secure Information Boxes in Residential Buildings can be downloaded from the Fire Industry Association’s website

Cooking fires remain one of the leading causes of accidental dwelling fires in the UK, with 2025 statistics showing that 44% of fires in the home start in the kitchen. Firechief Global’s kitchen stove guard addresses the risk directly, using an advanced 8x8 matrix heat detection sensor to monitor cooking activity and automatically cut the electricity supply to the hob before a fire can take hold.

Importantly, the system uses heat detection rather than smoke detection, intervening before a fire starts rather than after it has already begun.

The FSW1E has been developed with ease of installation very firmly in mind. A single control unit comes factory-paired with its sensor, reducing set-up time on-site. The unit supports hood, wall or ceiling mounting, with self-adhesive brackets included as standard. For installers working across multiple properties, that simplicity adds up.

A significant addition with the FSW1E is a dedicated installer app, available for both iOS and Android. Using Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity, the app allows installers to view system status, configure stove type and sensor placement and set programmable automatic safe timer limits all from a mobile device during installation. It’s designed for installers only and represents a meaningful step forward in reducing commissioning time.

Tested and certified

The FSW1E is tested and certified to BS EN 50615:2015 Category B, the British Standard for stove guard devices, and carries both CE and UKCA marking. Professional installation is required. The product is suitable for electric stoves and is particularly well suited to sheltered housing, student accommodation, supported living facilities, high-rise apartments and any setting where distraction or memory difficulties may increase the risk of a cooking fire being left unattended.

“The FSW1E builds on everything that made the FSW1 a trusted choice for installers and takes matters a stage further,” said Ian Poole, sales director at Firechief Global. “The factory-paired sensor and single control unit make installation more straightforward, while the new app affords engineers real control during commissioning and the BS EN 50615 certification gives specifiers and housing managers the confidence to recommend it without hesitation. This is a product that genuinely reduces risk in some of the most vulnerable settings.”

The FSW1E is available now and sits alongside the existing FSW1 model within the Firechief Global kitchen stove guard range, giving installers and distributors a choice of specification to suit different project requirements.

*Full product details and specification-focused information are available online at www.firechiefglobal.com/firechief-kitchen-stove-guard-fsw1e

In publishing a new Policy Position Statement on planning, the NFCC has affirmed its support for the drive towards more affordable housing, but in parallel warns that safety must remain a fundamental consideration as the planning system evolves. Decisions made during planning, observes the NFCC, can shape community risk “for generations”.

Fire and Rescue Services play a vital role in protecting communities, but the infrastructure upon which they rely – ie safe access routes, dependable water supplies and accurate risk information – is often overlooked in the planning stage and only becomes apparent during an emergency.

The Policy Position Statement builds on the NFCC’s recent response to reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, which emphasised that proposed planning reforms are overwhelmingly focused on accelerating delivery, increasing flexibility for developers and meeting central Government housing targets “without sufficient regard” to safety in the built environment.

While Fire and Rescue Services are statutory consultees at the Building Regulations stage for new builds and building alterations, the planning and Building Control systems operate separately. This can lead to assumptions that essential Fire and Rescue Service requirements – such as site access or layout – have already been addressed when in fact they haven’t.

The Government has recently expanded the use of Permitted Development Rights, enabling certain conversions or extensions to bypass full planning scrutiny. The NFCC warns that, while this may speed up housing delivery, it must not lead to developments that later require costly remediation in order to meet current fire safety standards.

Safe, sustainable and resilient

NFCC chair Phil Garrigan said: “We fully support the Government’s ambition to deliver more homes, and we recognise the role of planning reform in achieving this, but new homes must also be safe, sustainable and resilient.”

Garrigan continued: “Planning decisions shape communities for decades. If fire safety isn’t considered from the very start, the consequences often appear much later when lives, homes and firefighter safety are placed at risk. It’s far better to design safety in from the outset than to try and retrofit solutions once problems emerge.”

Further, Garrigan commented: “We are urging Government to make fire safety a core part of the planning process with clear requirements that compel planners and developers to prioritise it from Day One.”

An additional NFCC recommendation includes stronger safeguards for residential conversions under Permitted Development Rights, preventing commercial to residential conversions from bypassing full planning scrutiny.

The NFCC is calling for stronger checks in the planning process to ensure Fire and Rescue Service expertise is properly considered, including the reinstatement of a formal requirement to consult Fire and Rescue Services on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. The call follows the removal of mandatory pre-application consultation as part of reforms in the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.

Suitable access

Fire chiefs say that ensuring suitable access for Emergency Services vehicles and reliable water supplies for firefighting is also critical, warning that no building should be occupied until adequate firefighting water provision has been confirmed.

Further, the NFCC has stated that embedding fire safety into planning will ensure the homes and developments built across the country are safe, resilient and able to protect communities long into the future.

The NFCC’s Policy Position Statement also sets out several recommendations to strengthen fire safety within planning. These include formally recognising Fire and Rescue and other Emergency Services as essential infrastructure within developer funding mechanisms such as Section 106 and the Community Infrastructure Levy, allowing new developments to contribute towards stations, equipment and other Emergency Services resources.

The NFCC is also calling for developers, rather than Fire and Rescue Services, to fund fire hydrant installation for new developments.