Fire safety and prevention: Resources for local government

Curated resources on fire regulation, safety and prevention from around the world.

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This week’s resources: Promoting fire safety

Urban fires: Here’s how to build safer cities
This article published by the World Economic Forum explores how cities can build a path towards urban fire resilience, and in turn safer areas overall. It examines what’s requires from institutions, tools governments can use, was well as the risks and challenges posed not only by fire but by inadequate planning and regulation.

The Case for Investing in Prevention: Fire Prevention
The economic and health benefits of investing in fire prevention are outlined in this report paper from Bangor University. It shows examples of studies on the cost-effectiveness of fire prevention techniques like sprinkler systems and smoke detectors.

World-first set of guidelines to enhance fire safety in informal settlements
Stellenbosch University, in collaboration with the Western Cape Government, have created an innovative set of guidelines to bolster fire safety in informal settlements. The training material is designed to support communities, NGOs, fire departments and households in improving their fire safety credentials.

What can local governments do to combat heat stress and increase safety?
Vasileios Latinos, Head of Resilience and Climate Adaptation at ICLEI Europe, details in this article what councils can do to address heat stress in the era of extreme weather events.

Compliance in building design
This paper, developed by Cladding Safety Victoria, stems from a review of 1,000 privately owned apartment buildings. After combustable cladding was found to be common, it examines why it was used and who was responsible. Further analysis of this data reveals widespread misapplication of Victoria’s regulatory requirements.

Fire Safe Europe
This association represents companies across EU member countries with the mission of improving fire safety in buildings. It works with policymakers and experts to ensure European citizens and communities are safe from fire in every building.

Decade of Action for Fire Safety 2022-2032
This paper lists the first set of common principles for international fire safety, based on collaboration from fire safety experts from around the world. Set around five pillars, these include understanding fire, planning and design, reducing appliance hazards, firefighting infrastructure and creating resilient communities. These principles have since been adopted by the United Nations as the world’s first global fire safety standards.

10 Common Fire Safety Violations in Commercial Buildings
This resource lists everyday fire regulation violations that can be applied to any commercial or private property.

Principles for effective regulation of fire safety in flats
The LGA has published this resource to help local councils and fire and rescue authorities better regulate fire safety in blocks of flats. It contains principles that are applicable to other building types, alongside interventions and enforcement approaches.

New study exposes failings of UK furniture Fire Safety Regulations
This paper argues that current fire safety regulations in the UK have potential inadequacies regarding upholstered furniture. It explores potentially concerning variations in the safety of furniture composites.

How the Marshall Fire sparked a political transformation in Colorado | Grist
This article explores how a city councillor in Louisville, Colorado became a state representative to take on insurance companies, landlords and mortgage lenders after a fire destroyed his town in 2021.

This video is an easy-to-digest guide on what local authorities need to understand in the Fire Safety England Regulations 2022.

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