Policy information sourced from The London Plan 2021

D12 Fire Safety

  • In the interests of fire safety and to ensure the safety of all building users, all development proposals must achieve the highest standards of fire safety and ensure that they:
    • identify suitably positioned unobstructed outside space:
      • for fire appliances to be positioned on
      • appropriate for use as an evacuation assembly point
    • are designed to incorporate appropriate features which reduce the risk to life and the risk of serious injury in the event of a fire; including appropriate fire alarm systems and passive and active fire safety measures
    • are constructed in an appropriate way to minimise the risk of fire spread
    • provide suitable and convenient means of escape, and associated evacuation strategy for all building users
    • develop a robust strategy for evacuation which can be periodically updated and published, and which all building users can have confidence in
    • provide suitable access and equipment for firefighting which is appropriate for the size and use of the development.
  • All major development proposals should be submitted with a Fire Statement, which is an independent fire strategy, produced by a third party, suitably qualified assessor. The statement should detail how the development proposal will function in terms of:
    • the building’s construction: methods, products and materials used, including manufacturers’ details
    • the means of escape for all building users: suitably designed stair cores, escape for building users who are disabled or require level access, and associated evacuation strategy approach
    • features which reduce the risk to life: fire alarm systems, passive and active fire safety measures and associated management and maintenance plans
    • access for fire service personnel and equipment: how this will be achieved in an evacuation situation, water supplies, provision and positioning of equipment, firefighting lifts, stairs and lobbies, any fire suppression and smoke ventilation systems proposed, and the ongoing maintenance and monitoring of these
    • how provision will be made within the curtilage of the site to enable fire appliances to gain access to the building
    • ensuring that any potential future modifications to the building will take into account and not compromise the base build fire safety/protection measures.

For more information please see The London Plan 2021