London Fire Brigade (LFB) has warned landlords in high rise buildings about the dangers of fire on their premises after new research found that there is an average of almost two fires a day across the city.

The research also revealed that 50 per cent of residents in high rise buildings would make potentially lethal decisions, such as leaving their flat in the event of a fire in another block, which is often more dangerous.

LFB is emphasising the responsibility for landlords to make sure that communal areas are free from clutter to allow easy escape in the event of a fire.

This forms part of the LFB’s ‘Know the Plan’ campaign, launched in the wake of the Lakanal tower block fire in 2009 and the subsequent inquest.

LFB deputy commissioner, Rita Dexter said: "These figures are very concerning. Landlords are responsible for ensuring their tenants have the information they need to make a safe choice should they be faced with a fire in their home.”

Original source

LFB  

Commercial buildings, non-domestic and multi-occupancy premises in England and Wales are already forced to undertake a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

While the overwhelming majority of premises do this, if the assessment is thought to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.