New: bereaved Grenfell Tower family threatens legal action over govt plan to republish controversial, withdrawn fire safety guide
insidehousing.co.uk/news/bereaved-…
insidehousing.co.uk/news/bereaved-…
The guidance, 'Fire safety in purpose built blocks of flats', was published by the Local Government Association with the backing of govt and had been key in the social housing sector's approach to fire safety. But the LGA took it down earlier this year.
It has become controversial because it plays down the need for evacuation plans for disabled residents and encourages reliance on 'stay put'. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has already recommended the development of plans to evacuate buildings.
But the government now plans to republish the guide on a gov.uk website ahead of the production of updated guidance. They face a legal challenge from the bereaved family of Sakina Afrasehabi, who died at Grenfell Tower alongside her sister Fatemah
They have already forced the govt to reopen its consultation on evacuation plans for disabled residents and got the British Standards Institute to withdraw new guidance suggesting they were unnecessary. They are in a determined fight to see the inquiry recommendations implemented
They have also written to the Home Office raising concerns about Colin Todd, primary author of the 2011 guide, who has been retained by govt to produce its updated guidance. They say he is 'mistrusted' by the bereaved families.
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