New calls for “joined up” approach to coroner’s reports

Building fire regulations are tightening across the UK. The recent Grenfell report publication highlighted yet more inadequacies in how fire safety in high-rise buildings is being handled. In total, 58 individual recommendations were raised. In short, it represents the need for a complete overhaul of England’s building safety. It shouldn’t take tragedies to force new regulations into place when it’s too late, and a lack of safety knowledge is never a valid excuse.

Jan Taranczuk is vice-chair of the London/South East region of the National Social Housing Fire Strategy Group. He’s calling for a joined up approach when it comes to Prevention of Future Deaths reports. Coroners issue these reports when there is a future risk of fatalities unless action is taken, and in the past these warnings have gone unheeded. 

In September 2022, father-of-seven Abdul Jabar Oryakhel tragically lost his life after a fire broke out in his tower block. The blaze was started by an unregulated e-bike battery, and the coroner’s report cited a lack of knowledge surrounding Li-ion batteries. Talking to Inside Housing, Mr Taranczuk said:

“The coroner service must have more powers to create change. Currently it cannot force anyone to do anything.”

As more and more people adopt e-mobility as a greener way of getting around, storage and charging options are increasingly scarce. This is especially true in high-rise flats. A recent episode of The Firefighters Podcast featured guest Prof. Paul Christensen, expert and consultant on all aspects of Li-ion battery safety. We recommend giving it a listen, especially if you manage an estate and are looking for information on the safe management of e-mobility. You can find it wherever you get your podcasts, just look for episode No.318.

If you’re looking for more, our STORsafe hub contains a number of useful links and resources to keep landlords in the know – ultimately helping to keep tenants safe everywhere. 

Mr. Taranczuk joins us at the end of the month for a webinar on e-mobility fire safety. He’ll be sharing his insights on the steps that he thinks landlords should be taking to assess and manage the fire risk associated with e-bikes and other personal mobility devices.