The Government must take urgent action to address a 'crisis of confidence' about fire risks on timber-framed construction sites, and to improve fire safety for people living in tall buildings in London, a new report says.

The London Assembly's Planning and Housing Committee says the Government should not wait until 2012 to begin its planned review of fire regulations because there is already a significant level of concern within the industry about the safety of timber-framed sites following a spate of recent fires.

The Committee's report also calls for improvements to the way fire risks are managed in tall residential buildings, noting that at present, one in five fire risk assessments in London is inadequate.


Policy priorities demanding new homes at higher densities and the use of low-carbon materials like sustainably sourced timber are driving an increase in the numbers of tall and timber-framed residential building in London, which prompted the Committee's detailed investigation.

Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee, Nicky Gavron, said: "This is an issue that cannot wait. There is a crisis of confidence about the safety of tall and timber- framed buildings and the government and construction industry must act now to tighten regulations and reduce fire risk. As we construct at higher densities and with more environmentally friendly materials we will see more tall and timber-framed buildings. It is therefore vital to current and future residents that we get fire safety absolutely right."

Deputy Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee, Jenny Jones, said: "This report should ring an alarm bell for Government and the construction industry. Our investigation has uncovered a number of gaps in fire safety policy and practice. These must be addressed urgently to improve fire safety both while buildings are under construction, and once they are occupied."

(CD)