What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that disabled leaseholders have the aids and equipment needed for safe evacuation from tall residential buildings in Wales?
There are a number of considerations in determining how disabled people should remain safe in the event of a fire in a tall residential building. As we set out in Safer Buildings in Wales, in residential settings, staff will not generally be available to support disabled people to evacuate from a building or to assist them with using evacuation equipment. As such it will often be necessary for firefighters to rescue individuals. We are currently considering whether residents should have the right to supply details on their location in the building and the nature of their disability, to aid the Fire and Rescue Services in the event of a fire.
We are taking forward legislation to reform building safety in Wales. As we progress this work we will be engaging further with stakeholders, including disabled people, to understand how the regime can best meet the needs of everyone living in multi-occupied residential buildings.