UK construction adopts stricter fire safety rules after years of reform
A major update to fire safety standards in UK construction has taken full effect after years of development. The RIBA Plan of Work for Fire Safety, introduced in 2019, now shapes how public projects manage fire risks from design to completion. The changes follow a 2018 consultation and build on decades of industry efforts to strengthen building safety. The process began in 2016 when the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) pushed for improved fire safety measures. Founded in 1975, the ASFP brings together manufacturers, contractors, and certification bodies specialising in passive fire protection—covering fire stopping, dampers, ducting, and compartmentation. Over four decades, it has helped shape standards in the sector.
In September 2018, RIBA launched a public consultation on a new Plan of Work for Fire Safety. The ASFP welcomed this as a crucial step toward safer buildings. The finalised plan, published in 2019, incorporated recommendations from the Hackitt review, introducing mandatory Gateway Points at key stages (0, 1, 2, 4, and handover) for fire safety approvals.
The updated framework requires detailed fire protection specifications at the design phase and scheduled checks throughout construction. It also embeds the Golden Thread concept—a digital record of fire safety information, maintained securely from design to occupation. Since October 2023, these rules have been enforced for higher-risk buildings under the 2022 Building Safety Act. RIBA has since released further guidance and tools, including the 2024 Fire Safety Toolbox, to support compliance. The RIBA Plan of Work for Fire Safety now sets the standard for public construction projects. Its structured Gateway Points and digital record-keeping aim to reduce risks linked to poor inspection and fragmented processes. The ASFP continues to expand its role, supporting wider adoption of the new measures across the industry.
