The Scottish Government is consulting on new practical fire safety guidance, and is seeking input into the new proposals.

The consultation window is open until 5 February, and you can respond via the Scottish Government website.

The guidance has been developed for dutyholders to help meet their responsibilities for fire safety under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 in relation to existing premises with sleeping accommodation including small bed and breakfast and self-catering premises; small premises providing sleeping accommodation; and medium and large premises providing sleeping accommodation. 

The guidance does not seek to impose new standards, nor is it intended to impose more onerous benchmarks, but is a revision and consolidation of existing guidance currently available on the Scottish Government FireLaw webpages.

The review of the safety advice was agreed by the Ministerial Working Group (MWG) on Building and Fire Safety in Scotland, formed in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Ms Annabelle Ewing said: “After the awful loss of life at Grenfell we are determined to do all we can to ensure that the fire safety advice and standards expected in the buildings we live in are as strong and effective as they possibly can be.

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Government and local authorities have moved quickly to identify any potential risks. Since Grenfell, firefighters have undertaken over 1,000 Home Fire Safety Visits to those in high-rise buildings in Scotland; these are essential in helping detect risks in the home. 

“This review and consolidation of existing guidance will look at what we can do to simplify or strengthen the fire safety advice for any residences where people sleep, provide the best possible resource for building owners and emergency services and reassure members of the public of their safety.”

Read consultation documents.

Original source

Scotland Government