First reported 21 Nov 2016•Latest report 13 Jan 2025
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of dedicated emergency-egress arrangements, including emergency exit doors, emergency-release window controls and checks that occupied premises retain usable alternative escape routes, where the deficiency can delay or prevent safe evacuation.
Not included
Excludes ordinary access-control or security failures where emergency evacuation or egress is not materially involved.
Excludes general building, fire-safety or maintenance deficiencies that do not directly impair an emergency egress route or release arrangement.
Excludes outdoor water, river or vehicle egress hazards unless the assertion concerns emergency egress from a building or occupied premises.
Excludes generic emergency-response access failures concerning responders entering premises rather than occupants escaping.
Reports
5
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
6
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2016–2025
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
9
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government2
Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service1
Jigsaw Homes Tameside1
Local Government Association1
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham1
London Councils1
National Fire Chiefs Council1
National Housing Federation1
National Residential Landlords Association1
Recipient name withheld1
The Riverside Group Limited1
Victoria House (Wallasey)1
Ministerial department2
Registered provider of social housing2
Fire and rescue service1
Local-government membership body1
London borough council1
National fire and rescue body1
Professional membership body1
Residential care home1
Trade association1
Type not available1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Liverpool and the Wirral
Concerns raised1
Faulty emergency exit door
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Close the front lounge area containing the escape door to residents and repurpose it as a meeting and family room.
Stated by Victoria House (Wallasey) LtdStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 15 January 2025.
Manchester South
Concerns raised1
Failure to check for alternative safe exit routes when boarding up occupied houses
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
The property had rear-door access and issued keys, with no evidence the tenant lacked a key or access when the front door was boarded.
Stated by Jigsaw GroupDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
West Yorkshire Eastern
Concerns raised1
Potential fire hazards in properties managed by the same property managers, including inadequate smoke detection equipment or emergency escape routes
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Consult on extending smoke and carbon-monoxide alarm requirements to social housing.
Stated by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 27 January 2021.
Action
Analyse responses to the smoke and carbon-monoxide alarm regulations consultation.
Stated by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 27 January 2021.
Action
Publish the Government response to the smoke and carbon-monoxide alarm regulations consultation.
Stated by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 27 January 2021.
London (East)
Concerns raised2
Failure to upgrade existing maisonettes in line with fire safety best-practice guidance
Inadequate design of alternative means of escape from upper floors of maisonettes
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Cumbria
Concerns raised1
Failure of window stays to be disableable from inside in an emergency
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Remove the cable restrictors from the Old Fire Station flat’s windows.
Stated by Impact HousingStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 February 2017.
Action
Specify emergency-overridable or absent window restrictors and emergency-exitable window designs in new and replacement housing, subject to building constraints.
Stated by Impact HousingStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 February 2017.
Action
Adapt or replace existing non-overridable window restrictors in schemes where windows are not being replaced.
Stated by Impact HousingStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 February 2017.
Action
Survey staff-supported residential properties and phase removal or replacement of fixed restrictors with emergency-overridable restrictors according to risk, phasing and funding.
Stated by Impact HousingStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 February 2017.
Action
Assess other general-needs properties through stock-condition, repair and maintenance processes and include restrictor changes in the rolling inspection programme.
Stated by Impact HousingStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 19 February 2017.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
Window changes cannot be applied universally because of safety risks, building design, regulatory restrictions, tenant vulnerability and potentially prohibitive replacement costs.
Stated by Impact HousingUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Position
Window exit will remain restricted for upper-floor tenants with dementia or impaired judgement because jumping risks are too great.
Stated by Impact HousingExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
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Includes failures of dedicated emergency-egress arrangements, including emergency exit doors, emergency-release window controls and checks that occupied premises retain usable alternative escape routes, where the deficiency can delay or prevent safe evacuation.
