From Grenfell to New Legislation: How Fire Fighting and Evacuation Lifts Are Transforming High-Rise Safety
The Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017 marked a turning point in the UK’s approach to fire safety in high-rise buildings. The devastating event, which claimed 72 lives, exposed serious shortcomings in evacuation procedures, building design, and emergency response systems. Since then, policymakers, regulators, architects, and engineers have been united in driving a new wave of reforms designed to ensure that such a tragedy can never happen again.
At the heart of this reform is the role of firefighting and evacuation lifts—specialist lift systems that are emerging as critical tools for improving both evacuation and emergency response in high-rise environments.
The Legacy of Grenfell and the Drive for Change
The Grenfell Inquiry has highlighted multiple failings, including poor evacuation strategies and the absence of systems that could have aided firefighters or supported the safe movement of vulnerable residents. One key issue was the “stay put” policy, which assumed compartmentation would hold back fire long enough for rescue. When this strategy failed, residents faced confusion, chaos, and a lack of viable alternatives for safe evacuation.
This backdrop has accelerated reforms such as the Building Safety Act 2022, strengthened fire safety regulations, and a renewed emphasis on inclusive design. Among the reforms, greater attention is now being placed on vertical transport solutions, notably firefighting lifts and evacuation lifts, which can transform emergency planning in high-rise developments.
What Are Fire Fighting and Evacuation Lifts?
Firefighting lifts are specifically designed to support fire and rescue services during an incident. Unlike conventional passenger lifts, they are built with protected shafts, heat- and smoke-resistant lobbies, water-resistant electrical systems, emergency power supplies, and enhanced communication systems. These features ensure that firefighters can safely ascend a building to tackle a blaze, transport equipment, and, crucially, evacuate residents who may be unable to use stairs.
Evacuation lifts, on the other hand, are designed for use by building occupants themselves during emergencies, under controlled procedures. They are especially important for residents with reduced mobility, older people, or those with disabilities. Instead of being trapped or left dependent on fire crews, occupants can be evacuated in a safer, faster, and more dignified way.
The Legislative Push
Current standards such as BS EN 81-72 (firefighting lifts) and BS EN 81-76 (evacuation lifts) outline technical requirements to ensure performance under extreme conditions. In the wake of Grenfell, adherence to these standards has taken on new urgency.
The Building Safety Act also enforces a duty on developers, building owners, and accountable persons to demonstrate that safety systems are in place, functional, and compliant. The introduction of a “Golden Thread” of building information means that fire fighting and evacuation lifts must be clearly specified, tested, and maintained throughout the building’s lifecycle.
In addition, planning bodies and local authorities are increasingly mandating that new residential towers incorporate evacuation lifts as part of an inclusive design strategy. This ensures compliance with the Equality Act 2010, recognising that safe evacuation is not a privilege but a fundamental right.
How These Lifts Transform Safety in Practice
- Improved Firefighter Response Times
Fire fighting lifts allow crews to quickly reach upper floors without the exhaustion and time loss associated with climbing dozens of flights of stairs in full gear. This can make a critical difference in suppressing fires before they escalate. - Safe Evacuation for All
Evacuation lifts provide a structured, controlled means of moving people with reduced mobility. This avoids dangerous improvisations such as carrying individuals down staircases, which is both unsafe and undignified. - Integration with Building Management Systems
Modern systems can be connected with fire alarm and building monitoring networks, automatically switching lifts into emergency mode. This ensures rapid deployment without reliance on manual intervention. - Resilience Through Design
Fire fighting lifts are equipped with backup power supplies and water-resistant features, ensuring they remain operational even in challenging conditions where conventional lifts would fail.
A Future-Proof Approach to High-Rise Living
As urban populations grow and more high-rise developments reshape UK skylines, future-proofing safety is no longer optional. Developers who fail to integrate fire fighting and evacuation lifts risk non-compliance, reputational damage, and—more importantly—the lives of occupants.
Beyond compliance, these systems send a clear message: that resident safety, accessibility, and resilience are of paramount importance. They reflect a shift from reactive to proactive safety strategies, where building design anticipates and mitigates risks rather than simply responding to them.