The DLUHC’s social housing fire remediation survey reports a 98% fire assessment rate
Published: 26/02/2024
DLUHC’s social housing fire remediation survey reports that fire risk assessments have been carried out in nearly 98% of relevant buildings.
The heightened awareness and concerns about fire safety in residential buildings, since Grenfell has led to social housing in England undergoing a thorough Fire Safety Remediation Survey to proactively address potential risks and ensure the well-being of residents living in social housing across the country. The survey from the DLUHC (Department of Levelling up Housing and Communities) issued to local authority and private social housing landlords with buildings over 11 metres high has stated that fire risk assessments have been undertaken on 97.6% of all buildings reported, with a further 1.5% planned in the next nine months.
Survey Overview
The survey closed on 31st December 2023 and it aimed to provide an overview of whether landlords:
▪ Were meeting their obligations under the Fire Safety (Regulatory) Order 2005 for
assessing fire safety risks associated with the relevant parts of those buildings;
▪ Understand any risks they identify and how they should be addressed, particularly in relation to external wall systems (EWS) and;
▪ Had plans in place to promptly remediate buildings they have identified as having life-critical fire safety risks.
Assessment Methods
As part of the survey landlords who were the responsible entity were asked to provide information on any life-critical fire safety (LCFS) defects, defined as defects, shrinkages, faults or other failings in a building that generate fire safety risks. These are identified by:
▪ A Fire Risk Appraisal of External Wall construction (FRAEW) undertaken in accordance with PAS 9980 that assesses the external wall construction or cladding as not “medium - -tolerable” (or better); or
▪ A fire risk assessment (FRA) that assesses the relevant parts of the building as high risk or medium risk or equivalent according to industry standards.
Survey Findings
The survey reported on 695 providers which consisted of 97% large landlords (own or manage over 1,000 units) and the DLUCH received a 96% return.
- In total, landlords reported on 17,320 buildings over 11 metres in height. The majority of these, 12,467 (72%), are 11-18 metre buildings, with 4,853 buildings (28%) measuring 18 metres or more in height.
- Fire risk assessments have been undertaken on 97.6% of all buildings reported, with a further 1.5% planned in the next nine months.
- For buildings measuring 11–18 metres in height, 97.0% have a fire risk assessment and of the buildings measuring 18 metres plus, 99.1% have a fire risk assessment.
- 1,952 buildings were identified with an LCFS defect relating to the external wall system (EWS), which is 11.5% of all 11-metre-plus buildings landlords are responsible for.
- Work is complete on 10% of these buildings and is underway on a further 27%.
- Work is due to commence on 24% of those buildings by September 2024.
- Landlords report that 78% of buildings with EWS-related LCFS defects are expected to be remediated within the next 5 years, including 18% of buildings by September 2024.
Remediation work is complete or due to be completed for 87% of buildings with EWS-related LCFS issues by September 2028. A further 4% of buildings are due to have remediation work completed by September 2033. The remaining 9% consists of buildings where remediation is due to be completed in over 10 years or completion dates were not clear from the survey. In some cases, landlords have reported estimated completion dates though the detailed plans to deliver these dates are not yet clear from the survey.
Despite the uncertainty and ambiguity initially concerning how this information would, be collated, the DLUHC has managed to get a near 100% response rate, enabling them to have a clear picture of the risk factors and remediation processes for the UK’s social housing buildings. Through a collaborative initiative using a combination of structural assessments, technological upgrades, and community engagement, these surveys will contribute to a comprehensive and holistic approach to fire safety in the social housing sector.
Harris Associates can offer a bespoke solution to enable you to comply with the latest legislation. We are experts in statutory compliance and fire safety-related matters with experienced and qualified technicians, surveyors, engineers, and project managers. We have national coverage and can help with all aspects of façade remediation from FRAEWs through to the coordination and delivery of complex façade remediation contracts.
For more information on our services, assistance, or advice on these latest developments or any related fire safety or regulatory matter please contact Shaun Harris, Tamer Duman, or Nicola Goule via phone or email at shaun@harrisassociatesuk.com,tamer@harrisassociatesuk.comor nicola@harrisassociatesuk.com call 0203 195 0857, 0161 615 3679 or 0121 213 6307.
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