Disabled tenants fear fire safety despite new evacuation plans

Disabled residents living in high-rise flats continue to experience significant fears for their safety in the event of a fire, a leading campaigner has stated. This comes despite the introduction of new regulations aimed at improving emergency evacuation support for vulnerable tenants.

Gaps in New Evacuation Regulations

Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (RPEEPs) became available in April, following recommendations from the Grenfell Tower inquiry. These plans are intended to provide tailored emergency escape support from landlords or housing providers. However, eligibility for RPEEPs is restricted to residents in buildings over 18 metres or seven storeys in height. Additionally, specific buildings between 11 and 18 metres tall with a 'simultaneous' evacuation strategy are included. Residents living in buildings under 11 metres are not entitled to a plan under the current rules.

Adam Gabsi, Co-Chair of Inclusion London, told the London Assembly Fire Committee in June that many disabled social housing residents feel unsafe. He highlighted that fire and smoke do not discriminate based on a building's height. Mr Gabsi, who lives on the sixth floor of Trident Point in Harrow, expressed serious concerns about his ability to evacuate safely in a fire. He cited issues such as a previously locked evacuation chair and a non-functioning fire-safe lift.

““What are we waiting for, my building, me to burn? What are we waiting for here?””

Adam Gabsi, Co-Chair of Inclusion London

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Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) is the housing provider for Trident Point. Mr Gabsi stated that he had found evacuation chairs locked away and had been informed they could only be used by firefighters, which he felt did not constitute equal evacuation processes. He also noted that the fire-safe lift was not working, leading him to feel there was 'total negligence' by the housing provider.

Calls for Greater Engagement and Action

The London Assembly Fire Committee has written to the mayor, urging increased engagement between social housing landlords and residents. Committee Chair Anne Clarke stated that no Londoner should live in fear of fire safety, nine years after the Grenfell Tower fire. Deputy Chair Hina Bokhari described the situation as 'outrageous' and expressed deep concern that disabled residents in high-rise flats felt they were 'signing a death wish'.

Ms Bokhari added that things had not progressed since Grenfell and that affordable, accessible housing for disabled Londoners was still lacking. She criticised the mayor for not doing his job effectively and for 'pandering to developers' rather than prioritising resident safety. Mr Gabsi echoed these sentiments, stating that the safety of disabled people should be paramount.

A spokesperson for the mayor confirmed that the mayor had lobbied for RPEEP legislation and welcomed its introduction. The mayor's office is encouraging the government to widen the scope of the legislation to include all residential blocks and to provide central funding. They are also pushing building owners and landlords to implement plans promptly and are committed to working with the London Fire Brigade and local authorities to ensure safe evacuation routes.

Housing Provider Response

An MTVH spokesperson acknowledged the concerns raised by residents at Trident Point, stating that their safety and wellbeing are a top priority. The housing association is working with residents to identify appropriate support for emergency evacuations and is reviewing and updating Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans to meet new legal requirements. MTVH also stated they are working with contractors and managing agents to find a long-term solution for intermittent lift reliability issues and have resolved leaks that caused water damage.

City Hall plans to publish a Disability Action Plan next month, which will include commitments on housing, employment, transport, community safety, and access to services.