Second staircase technical guidance published
The government has published long-awaited technical guidance on its second staircase rule after months of uncertainty. The Mayor of London said last month work on 38,000 homes has been halted due to uncertainty caused by the lack of technical guidance. Research commissioned by the government found that when there is a second staircase in a high rise block, the evacuation time is halved. Published on Good Friday, changes to Approved Document B – the government’s building guidance covering fire safety – make clear that a second staircase is required in tall blocks of flats over 18 metres in height. It also confirmed that evacuation lifts will not be a requirement and introduced a transition period for the rules up to 30 September 2026. Full details on the design and construction of second staircases can be found here.
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Planning, Environment and Transport committee meeting
📅 10th April 2025 | 14:00 - 16:00
🚩 Room B1 70 Cowcross St, EC1M 6EJ (map)
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The New London Plan: Shaping Housing for the Future
📆 23rd April 2025 | 17:30 - 19:45
🚩 77 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6EL (map)
Many communities in London are concerned about future development that could change that character of their much-loved areas, whether by the scale, density or height of new building. This event will leave us all much better informed about the shape of the next ten years. Free for London Forum members, but booking is essential ( https://www.londonforum.org.uk/events/the-new-london-plan-shaping-housing-for-the-future#booking ). Chair: Ben…