New government advice following the fire in Barking

Earlier this month, a fire at a block of flats in De Pass Gardens, Barking, destroyed 20 flats after a fire that started on a balcony.

Following this event, the Government has published an advice note for building owners on the risks arising from balconies on residential buildings. It advises building owners to:

• understand their buildings, regardless of height, for the presence of combustible materials in external walls, including balconies, and the risk they present
• seek professional advice, where there is doubt about the materials used or the risk they present
• consider whether any risk should result in the removal and replacement of combustible materials
• communicate with residents on the risks associated with fire on balconies
• ensure balconies are included as part of fire risk assessments carried out on a building.

This advice note is written for residents and building owners of residential buildings with multiple dwellings, although the principles may also apply to other building types.

You can download the advice note from the Government’s website.