Unsafe cladding or other building issues
Fire safety advice for residents
If you are a resident concerned about fire safety due to unsafe cladding or other buildings issues, or your building is waiting for, or currently undergoing remediation work, you can find specific fire safety advice here regarding
- what residents need to know
- new Fire Safety Regulations coming in April 2026
- the safety of your building
- safety measures during remediation
- how to keep yourself and others safe and up to date.
What residents need to know and understand
Evacuation Strategy
As a resident, it is essential that you know and fully understand your building’s evacuation strategy.
If you live in a building that is undergoing, or will undergo, remediation work for cladding-related issues, your building will operate either a 'simultaneous evacuation' or 'stay put' strategy.
Stay put strategy
Remain in your flat with all windows and doors closed unless the fire is inside your own home. The building’s design − including concrete floors and fire doors − is built to contain fire and smoke, giving firefighters the time they need to reach you.
Simultaneous evacuation strategy
This strategy requires all residents to evacuate the building at the same time and gather at a pre-agreed meeting point. The building will be equipped with a fire detection and alarm system to support this.
Make sure you know which evacuation strategy applies to your building and keep up to date as this may change.
Your building’s landlord or Responsible Person can tell you which strategy your building uses, and this should also be displayed on fire action notices throughout the building near fire exits and alarms.
Important new Fire Safety Regulations April 2026
From 6 April 2026, new fire safety regulations in England will require landlords and Responsible Persons of relevant residential buildings to:
- identify residents who may need help evacuating
- carry out a person-centred fire risk assessment
- offer a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP)
Read more about the new Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 and what it means for residents.
Remediation
The safety of your building
Residents of buildings identified as having critical life-safety risks have been moved to other accommodation.
If you have not been asked to relocate, your property would have been checked by fire safety professionals and found suitable for occupation during the remediation period.
Safety measures during remediation
While waiting for remediation work to begin, a range of safety measures can be put in place to protect residents. These may include:
Reliable fire alarm systems
These are the most important safeguard, providing early warning so residents can evacuate safely. To ensure their reliability, fire alarm systems in your building are regularly tested, maintained, and monitored. This means:
- Routine testing – alarms are checked frequently to make sure they are working correctly.
- Scheduled maintenance – any faults or wear are repaired promptly by qualified professionals
- Ongoing monitoring – some systems are connected to central monitoring so that any issues are detected and addressed immediately.
Other safety measures may also be in place, such as:
Waking Watch Services: 24-hour on-site patrols by qualified personnel who monitor the building's interior and exterior. They are responsible for detecting fires, raising the alarm, and managing the evacuation process
Evacuation management: evacuation management includes maintaining robust resident communication, conducting mandatory drills, and deploying on-site personnel to manage site-wide evacuations. Responsibilities include contacting the Fire and Rescue Service and implementing Residential PEEPs to support the safe exit of vulnerable individuals.
The specific combination of measures depends on your building and the needs of residents.
If you have concerns ...
If you have concerns as a resident, or identify something that needs attention, your landlord or Responsible person will usually be your first point of contact.
If you feel that your concerns relate to a serious and urgent risk, you can contact our Building Safety team or email us.
Help yourself and others to stay safe in your building
- Check smoke alarms – make sure they are working and test them at least once a month.
- Keep balconies safe – clear clutter and avoid using BBQs.
- Be careful with smoking materials – never drop cigarettes or other smoking items from windows or balconies. This is especially important during remediation work when flammable construction materials or exposed external walls may be present. Remember also, someone else’s balcony may be below you.
- Cooking safety – never leave cooking unattended, keep flammable items away from stovetops, and make sure pans and ovens are switched off after use. A significant number of home fires start in the kitchen, so staying alert while cooking is critical.
- Watch fire safety vents – don’t let contractors block vents that are part of your building’s smoke control system. If you see a blocked vent, report it immediately to your landlord or Responsible Person.
Keep yourself up to date
Many landlords and Responsible Persons hold resident briefings and provide updates via emails, posters, and leaflets.
It is very important to attend these meetings because they give you up-to-date information on safety measures, remediation work, and any changes to your building’s evacuation plans. Having this information could make a real difference in an emergency.
Always stay informed and encourage your neighbours to attend too, so everyone in the building is aware of important safety updates.
Further information about remediation
If you have questions about remediation that aren’t related to fire safety, you may find the following helpful:
Supporting residents who have been affected by cladding and other building safety issues – advice from the Local Government Association on costs, selling your flat, and how your ward councillor can help.
Code of Practice for the remediation of residential buildings – advice from GOV.UK on what steps should be taken to ensure remediation work causes as little disturbance to residents as possible.
Cladding and other fire safety works – information for residents – advice from GOV.UK on leaseholder protections, mortgages and insurance.
Plain English guide to the Code of Practice for the remediation of residential buildings - GOV.UK