Missing or incorrect fire barriers have been sold in new build homes by firms. These fire barriers are designed to inhibit the spread of fire.
New build developers Persimmon Homes and Bellway Homes both said they were addressing the issue. Building Regulations require that by law new homes are built with fire protection measures to slow down the spread of fire and allow crucial time for people to escape.
In timber-framed buildings, typically seen in new build properties, fire barriers are vital for fire protection.
These barriers are used to form a complete seal between different areas of a home, and, experts say, without them, fire and smoke can spread five to ten times faster.
Fire service at a new build development
“A comparison is if you were to buy a new car and you ultimately found that it didn’t have an airbag in it […] It’s an integral safety feature within the home,”
Said Industry expert Andrew Mellor
Responsibility for ensuring that buildings are compliant with Building Regulations ultimately lies with the house builder.
Many serious breaches have gone undetected during construction, leaving homes and lives potentially at risk if a fire breaks out.
