Fire Safety LPG

London Plan Policy D12 on fire safety requires all developments to achieve the highest standards of fire safety. Major developments are required to submit a Fire Statement. London Plan Policy D5 requires developments that include a lift core to include at least one evacuation lift. This Fire Safety London Plan Guidance (LPG) sets out how applicants should demonstrate their schemes comply with these policies.

The Fire Safety LPG reiterates that the fire safety of developments needs to be considered from the outset. The evolution of a fire safety strategy and associated evacuation strategy should be iterative, progressing alongside the detailed design of the development and understanding of how it will be used and occupied.

The guidance confirms that planning officers are not experts in fire safety, therefore the onus is on the applicant and the fire safety expert to demonstrate compliance with the London Plan fire safety policies. This draft LPG provides template forms for the applicant to easily provide the required fire safety information and for planning officers to check that information has been provided against each relevant policy criteria.

The Mayor introduced the London Plan policy to address fire safety at the planning application stage, instead of the issue being first considered at the Building Control stage. The London Plan policy and Fire Safety LPG have been published in advance of a new national regulatory building safety framework around the design, construction and occupation of multi-occupied, high-rise residential buildings coming into force. Therefore, guidance is required to advise developers what information is required at the planning application stage and for the planning authority to understand its role.

This guidance has been prepared by the Greater London Authority (GLA) in consultation with the London Fire Brigade and drawing on access, Building Control and fire engineering expertise. It has been prepared in accordance with the Public Sector Equality Duty and an Equality Impact Assessment has been produced.