High Rise Taskforce
Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in June 2017, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham set up the Greater Manchester High Rise Taskforce to provide fire safety reassurance, building-by-building, and get us to a point where we can assure all residents their homes are safe, as quickly as possible.
Led by Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett, the taskforce includes landlords of tower blocks across the city-region in both private and public ownership, as well as representatives from every local authority in Greater Manchester and other specialist officers who can offer support to ensure every high rise is safe and receives the right fire safety advice.
Please note, the taskforce was re-named 'High Rise and Building Safety Taskforce' in 2021
Events
During sessions on May 25 2022, housing providers and managing agents received an update and overview of the Fire Safety Act and Fire Safety Regulations and how they will impact the management of flats in Greater Manchester.
GMFRS also provided a general overview of PAS9980 which was published earlier that year and the Government consultation on ‘Emergency Evacuation Information Sharing’ launched on May 18 2022, following a consultation in 2021 on Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans.
This event was held online with a session in the morning and the afternoon and provided an overview of the Act and Regulations and the general approach GMFRS will take, and an opportunity to consider how we can continue to work together to ensure the safety of residents across Greater Manchester.
Read more about the announcements made by the Home Office on May 18: Fact sheet: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
What Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is doing
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has carried out proactive inspections of all high rise residential premises to ensure all buildings comply with fire safety regulations and people feel safe in their homes.
We are working with local authorities and housing providers, in the public and private sector, to reassure residents living in high rises across Greater Manchester.
As part of this work, GMFRS is also offering residents a Home Fire Safety Assessment (HFSA). During the visits, GMFRS staff will discuss health advice, crime prevention as well as fire safety advice.
Find out if you are eligible for a HFSA
If any resident is concerned about fire safety in their building or fire safety advice given they should contact their housing provider or managing agent in the first instance.
Leaseholders can also get free, impartial, legal advice on residential leasehold law from LEASE (opens in new window), a government-funded independent body.
Government testing of cladding systems
Following the Grenfell Tower fire, the Government commissioned the British Research Establishment to carry out a series of large-scale fire safety tests on ACM cladding systems as part of its Building Safety Programme (opens in new window).
Specialist officers from GMFRS have carried out visits to identify any immediate issues which give cause for concern and assess any risks from cladding systems, where necessary. Working with the fire service, landlords and managing agents of these buildings have put in place measures to minimise the risk to residents in the event of a fire, which includes evacuation plans and 24-hour security patrols in the buildings.
GMFRS will continue to work with housing providers and local authorities to reassure residents living in high-rises across Greater Manchester by ensuring every high-rise is safe and receives the right fire safety advice.
If you are concerned about a system installed on your premises you are advised to discuss with your housing provider who should be able to advise you on the type of cladding system used and the approvals process carried out by the relevant building control body.
If you have any concerns about the safety of your building you can get in touch:
Email highrise@manchesterfire.gov.uk
Call 0800 555 815
Find out about the Waking Watch Relief Fund and how to apply
Further information
GMFRS Response to the Building a Safer Future Consultation (PDF, 982KB)
Useful Downloads
Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014 (gov.uk)
Dangerous Substances and Explosives Atmosphere Regulations 2002 (gov.uk)