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E-bike battery found to be cause of fire in Coventry apartment block

Around 50 firefighters were called to respond to a flat fire on the 11^th floor of a high-rise in Coventry on 30 September caused by an e-bike battery setting alight.

Several fire engines and response vehicles also attended the blaze at Samuel Vale House in Coventry, where several people were evacuated. Others were able to remain safely in their homes, outlined West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS).

The fire affected the whole flat in which it broke out, with smoke spreading to floors above according to the incident report.  No casualties have been reported, but the damage to the flat was described as ‘severe’.

Over 13,000 dutyholders register high-rise buildings with Building Safety Regulator scheme

A few days after the registration deadline, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has revealed over 13,000 dutyholders have started or completed their applications.

Registration of existing high-rise residential buildings with the Building Safety Regulator, established under the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is now a legal duty as part of the Building Safety Act 2022.

1 October marked the deadline for dutyholders to begin the registration process, which the BSR says signals the regulatory regime has moved further ahead in its process.

The registration information provided by dutyholders will be used by the BSR to help it prioritise buildings for the building assessment certificate process from April 2024.

It is now an offence to allow residents to occupy an unregistered building.

New regulations bring about ‘all-inclusive access’ to fire safety say DHF

Phase 3 of the Home Office’s plan to improve fire safety in higher risk buildings allows for improved cooperation and collaboration in the industry, say the Door and Hardware Federation (DHF).

Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) makes a number of amendments to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) to improve fire safety in all buildings regulated by it.

These improvements form Phase 3 of the Home Office’s fire safety reform programme, building on Phase 1 (the Fire Safety Act 2021) and Phase 2 (the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022). The new fire safety legislation came into effect on 1 October 2023. It is a criminal offence to allow residents to occupy an unregistered building after 30 September 2023.

Leaseholders obtain first remediation order under Building Safety Act for defective cladding

Leaseholders in Streatham Hill, London, have successfully obtained the first recorded remediation order under the Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022.

A group of leaseholders at 2-4 Leigham Court Road successfully obtained a remediation order against their landlord for defective external cladding and other safety issues.

According to legal company Clyde & Co (writing on 12 October 2023), this is the first time an application has reached the final stage of a final hearing.

Section 123 of the BSA 2022 allows for leaseholders to make remediation orders via a First Tier Tribunal, requiring landlords to remedy defects in the building, provided they are ‘relevant defects’ in a ‘relevant building’.