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Coalition calls on Government to take bolder action to make new residential buildings safer

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We were pleased to support the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and six built environment bodies, fire safety organisations and disability rights groups and sign a joint letter to Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP.

The united call urges the Government to reduce the height threshold for more than one staircase in new residential buildings to 18 metres (approximately six storeys), from the government's current proposed 30 metres (approximately ten storeys).  

Yesterday, Wednesday 22 March 2023, RIBA wrote to the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities. The letter, signed by eight organisations representing the built environment sector, fire safety and disability rights, calls on government to reduce the height threshold for more than one staircase to 18 metres - implementing what we believe to be best practice, improving safety for occupants, and harmonising standards with the wider regulatory environment. This would also align with rules in Scotland, where an additional staircase from 18 metres has been required for four years.  

The letter was signed by:  

  • Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
  • Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
  • Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
  • National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)
  • Housing Learning and Improvement Network (Housing LIN)
  • Disability Rights UK
  • Inclusion London
  • Claddag (Leaseholder Disability Action Group)

The Housing LIN believes an 18 metre threshold would also be of particular benefit to older and disabled residents in purpose-built specialist housing such a retirement villages, extra care housing and supported living.