Building safety reforms must go further to deliver safer, more inclusive buildings, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), which is calling on Government to continue modernising the guidance that underpins fire safety standards across England.

The NFCC has consistently advocated for a building safety system that reflects modern construction methods, evolving building use and the needs of an increasingly diverse and ageing population. It argues that aspects of the current guidance have not kept pace with these changes and require further reform to support safer outcomes for all building occupants.

Building on the recommendations set out in its Building Regulations and Guidance Position Statement, published in December 2025, the NFCC has welcomed a number of proposals included in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's (MHCLG) recent consultation on changes to Approved Document B – the statutory guidance supporting the fire safety requirements of the Building Regulations.

While the NFCC supports several of the proposed measures aimed at improving clarity and strengthening fire safety standards, it believes the consultation should go further to address longstanding issues identified in its earlier recommendations.

The introduction of guidance on evacuation lifts is viewed as a positive step and reflects an area the NFCC has consistently highlighted. However, the organisation maintains that more fundamental reform is needed to ensure buildings are designed around the needs of all occupants and align with the Government's ambition for everyone to reach a place of safety in an emergency without requiring external assistance.

The NFCC is therefore urging Government to use the current consultation as part of a broader programme of building safety reform, building on the commitments made following the Grenfell Tower tragedy and Dame Judith Hackitt's Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.

Evacuation lifts and sprinklers

Alongside supporting several of the Government's proposals, the NFCC is calling for wider provision of evacuation lifts to ensure residents who cannot use stairs are able to evacuate safely and independently.

Although the consultation proposes evacuation lifts in new residential buildings over 18 metres in height, the NFCC believes evacuation provisions should be based on the needs of building occupants rather than building height alone.

The organisation is also advocating for increased use of automatic fire sprinkler systems in specialised housing, including premises both with and without care provision. In addition, it is calling for a further review of fire safety requirements for car parks, including consideration of sprinkler protection and the changing risks associated with modern vehicles and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The NFCC is also seeking greater clarity, further research and additional testing around the use of modern methods of construction and combustible structural materials. It has reiterated the need to complete the wider review of Approved Document B originally announced following the 2018 Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety.

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