New Fire Safety Rules Criticized for Putting Disabled Lives at Risk
Disability rights groups have strongly condemned the government’s new fire safety rules for disabled people living in high-rise buildings, calling them “dangerous” and “discriminatory”. The rules, which were introduced in response to the Grenfell Tower disaster, have been criticized for failing to provide adequate protection for disabled residents.
Failing to Learn from Grenfell
The Grenfell fire in 2017 killed 72 people, including around 20 disabled individuals. The public inquiry that followed recommended that all disabled people in high-rise buildings should have a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) by law. However, the government’s new regulations have watered down this advice, leaving too much discretion to building owners.
Weak Regulations
Under the new rules, building owners or managers are required to:
- Identify disabled residents who need help in an emergency
- Carry out a personal fire risk assessment with each resident
- Create an evacuation plan, known as an “emergency evacuation statement”
- Share basic information about the disabled person with the fire service.
However, the rules have several limitations, including:
- Building owners only need to make “reasonable efforts” to help, rather than “best efforts”
- Disabled residents may have to pay for some of the safety measures they need
- The rules only apply to certain tall buildings, not all buildings where disabled people live
Two-Tier System
Disability groups argue that these regulations create a two-tier system, where only those who can afford safety measures will be protected. This, they say, is unfair, inhumane, and discriminatory. Inclusion London, a leading disability organization, has called for the government to scrap the current regulations and work with disabled people to create strong, effective evacuation plans that protect everyone equally.
Co-chair of Inclusion London
Adam Gabsi, co-chair of Inclusion London, said that the government’s changes could lead to more deaths and are part of a broader attack on disabled people’s rights. Caroline Collier, from Inclusion Barnet, added that disabled people already face long waits for accessible housing and are often forced to live in high-rise flats. She described the new rules as “dangerous” and “unacceptable”.
Call to Action
Both groups are urging the government to reconsider the regulations and work with disabled people to create real, strong evacuation plans that prioritize their safety and well-being. The goal is to ensure that all disabled people have equal access to safety and protection in high-rise buildings, regardless of their financial situation or disability.
