A recent report has raised serious concerns about fire safety practices within one of the UK’s largest housing associations, Clarion. A recording obtained by Sky News allegedly captures a manager instructing staff on how to falsify a fire safety notice, guidance that experts warn could have life-threatening consequences.

The notice in question related to advice for residents with disabilities or vulnerabilities, reminding them to contact Clarion so their information could be included in a person-centred fire risk assessment (PCFRA). These assessments are a key requirement under new fire safety regulations introduced after the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, which claimed 72 lives.

Under these post-Grenfell regulations, building owners are required to identify residents who may need additional assistance in the event of a fire. The relevant information must be stored in an accessible “secure information box” on the ground floor of high-rise buildings for use by attending fire and rescue services.

Fire safety professionals have warned that inaccurate or incomplete information could severely compromise emergency response efforts. Chartered surveyors have stated that the absence of correct data could result in “death or serious injury”.

Grenfell survivor Edward Daffarn commented that complacency around fire safety remains “a widespread problem that still prevails” across parts of the housing sector. Despite the introduction of new legislation and standards, the latest competence and conduct framework for social housing will not be fully implemented for another three to four years.

The incident underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring compliance, accountability, and a consistent approach to resident safety across the UK’s social housing stock.

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