The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has released a new position statement calling for the modernisation of the regulations and guidance that make up England’s building safety system, warning that the current system is “outdated”
Published on 10 December 2025, ‘NFCC Building Regulations and Guidance Position Statement’ argues that current guidance no longer reflects modern methods of construction, changes in building use, or the needs of a diverse or ageing population.
“Much of the guidance for the building regulations is still based on post-war building studies and has not kept pace with new risks or new legislation such as the Equality Act 2010 and the Building Safety Act 2022,” NFCC states.
Updates to current guidance, then, are vital for strengthening accountability across the sector and encouraging building design that meets the needs of all occupants.
“Buildings must be designed to meet the needs of the people who occupy them, rather than requiring individuals to adapt to the limitations of the built environment,” NFCC said. This includes requiring evacuation lifts, even in new residential buildings, with current government guidance failing to reflect that many residents cannot safely use stairs in an emergency.
NFCC notes that fire and rescue services (FRSs) provided advice on more than 45,000 building regulation consultations last year. However, not all advice is always acted upon, potentially leading to costly measures such as prohibition notices and waking watches.
Currently, developers can “exploit ‘non-worsening’ provisions, avoiding installation of critical life-safety systems, such as sprinklers and firefighting lifts, even when these could be added at minimal cost during refurbishments”.
The NFCC adds: “Approved Documents do not guarantee compliance with the Building Regulations – and non-compliance does not automatically incur liability – creating ambiguity that demands clearer standards, stronger competence, and improved oversight.”
Thus, a “broader cultural shift” is essential, underpinned by “enhanced occupational regulation” to ensure accountability is “clearly defined and understood across all parties”, including developers, building control bodies, building owners, and FRSs.
“Furthermore, the building control system must be underpinned by robust mechanisms that safeguard the integrity of decision-making and ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities, and accountability throughout the regulatory framework.”
Also vital is a review of how FRSs can safely access buildings in the event of a fire, including “clear standards for vehicle access, adequate water supply, properly designed firefighting shafts, and effective ventilation in corridors and basements – ensuring crews have the best possible conditions to save lives”.
In its position statement, the NFCC outlines three core recommendations to the government, as follows:
- Regularly update Approved Documents
Ensure comprehensive reviews at least every five years, with clearer definitions of common building situations, mandatory evacuation lifts in all new residential buildings, retrofitted sprinklers in single-stair high-rises, improved firefighter access and water supply provisions, and explicit consideration of long-term management responsibilities.
- Strengthen competence across the system
Examination of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 recommendations, including licensing for principal contractors on higher-risk buildings and mandatory accreditation for fire risk assessors, supported by a government-led Construction Skills Strategy to address workforce gaps.
- Improve oversight and accountability
Protect building control bodies from commercial pressures, make fire and rescue service advice statutory, review non-worsening provisions to prevent avoidance of safety upgrades, and enforce Operational Standards Rules consistently.
Chair of the NFCC, Phil Garrigan, said: “Buildings should be designed with the safety of the occupier in mind. Safety should never be compromised or considered secondary to the building design, and the design should be inclusive and accessible from the outset.
“The Grenfell Tower fire highlighted the need to consider the human factors that can affect a person’s ability to leave a building safely – this must be built into planning and design from the very beginning.
“Our position statement is clear – the building regulation guidance is outdated, hasn’t kept pace with modern methods of construction, is too often misunderstood, and too slow to change. Residents have the right to expect that, should they need to, they can evacuate, or be supported to evacuate, their homes safely, including those with mobility impairments or other vulnerabilities. And those responsible for designing, constructing and managing buildings must adhere to clear and consistent standards.
“The Government’s commitment to further consultation and regular review of Approved Document B is welcome, but it must translate into meaningful, timely action. We need a modern, inclusive, and accountable system that reflects how people live today and ensures tragedies like the Grenfell Tower fire can never be repeated.”
You can access the full position statement here.