The Scottish government has published changes to building standards to include more stringent fire safety provisions for external wall cladding systems.
The new guidance, coming into force on 1 October, will lower the minimum building height at which non-combustible wall cladding is to be provided from 18 metres to 11 metres.
A requirement for additional escape stairs and the introduction of evacuation alert systems and storey identification signs are also being introduced to help fire and rescue services in the event of a partial or full-scale building evacuation.
The changes are being published in the revised Building Standards Technical Handbooks.
Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: "The tragic events at Grenfell Tower just over two years ago was a painful reminder how important building and fire safety is.
"That is why we established our ministerial working group and undertook a thorough and critical review of the regulations we have in place. I’m pleased to see the first phase of this work completed and changes to the building standards and guidance published today.
At the same time, in separate guidance, the Scottish government is also setting out new guidance aimed at increasing the range and accessibility of sanitary facilities for people with more complex care needs in larger, new buildings.
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One aspect that I feel they have downgraded is smoke and heat detectors. All smoke and heat detectors had to be wired and interlinked ( so they all go off at same time) on 31st of march 2019 this was down graded to allow for battery detectors to be fitted. They need to be interlinked and be tamperproof.
They say they must have the new 10year battery packs within them. My issue is that yes ok they have a 10 year battery but when you read the small print they only come with a 5 year guarantee this defeats the 10year battery .
Surely this is a down grade of smoke/heat detectors as they can easily be pulled off the ceilings the same way older battery detectors were. Hard wiring them prevents this.
They even say that by using the new detectors you save money not needing to pay an electrician to fit them ..
Just a opinion. I was not sure if this was 100% correct and contacted the Scottish government who have sent me confirmation