The National Fire Chiefs Council's 'Fire Safety in Specialised Housing' guide is intended for Architects, Building Control Bodies, owners and managers of specialised housing.
These are residences where the building or part of the building is used for:
- Sheltered housing
- Extra care housing
- Supported housing
The people who live in these types of housing are especially vulnerable or dependent in some way. They may be elderly, have mobility or medical issues, cognitive impairment or mental health problems. They benefit from living with as much independence as possible, in an environment that meets their needs.
These needs may include, to some degree, the need for care and support services, which in some supported housing is similar in nature to that required for residents of residential care homes.
The guidance should be taken into account when designing and building new premises or when carrying out major structural refurbishments on existing buildings. It sets out good practice in protecting residents against fire within their own accommodation, which is outside the scope of the Fire Safety Order and Approved Document B.
Experience shows that it is these residents who are most likely to be seriously injured or killed by fire.
