Response fo draft guidance

11 October 2019

A response has been submitted to the Practical fire safety guidance for existing specialised housing and other supported domestic accommodation document, published by the Scottish Government in July this year. 

BAFE has welcomed the publication, stating that it was a ‘comprehensive document of high quality’ but suggesting some improvements for the Scottish government. 

"It is clearly thorough and will be the crucial reference document for those in charge of specialised housing and other supported domestic accommodation. The Glossary is especially helpful to those unfamiliar with fire safety terms, but should contain a reference to Third Party Certification which is mentioned in various parts of the document," they said. 

The changes came into force on 1 October, which will 'strengthen' high-rise building safety. 

However, BAFE did suggest some corrections for the Scottish government to improve the document.

"BAFE would comment that the Guidance should perhaps include a more comprehensive listing of subsections for easier reference.  The use of colour backgrounds per topic might also be helpful. The online version might have searchable links.

"A valid question might be who is going to read this document and in what circumstances? Furthermore is specific advice on particular topics readily accessible? 

"The production of a digest, a shorter version, an advisory leaflet or other form of guide to the Guidance would seem appropriate."

They go into detailed paragraphed corrections, which can be viewed here. 

The government has agreed to ‘defer the introduction’ of automatic fire suppression systems until 2021 in all new-build flats, houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) with ‘care 24/7’ and larger HMOs with over 10 residents to 'align with our commitment to introduce’ systems in new-build social housing.