John Jennings
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2020-0257
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 24 Feb 2021
Response Status
Responses
1 of 1
56-Day Deadline
24 Feb 2021
All responses received
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Coroner’s Concerns
1. Evidence was heard expressing concern that the above Code of Practice and British Standard 5839 LD1 Maximum Protection level were not currently statutory requirements.
Responses
Response received
View full response
Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Ministry of Housing; Government Communities & Local Government Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Fry Building 2 Marsham Street London SWIP 4DF Mr Andrew Walker North London Coroner's Service, Barnet; Brent, Enfield, Haringey and Harrow Barnet Coroner's Court 29 Wood Street
uklmhclg Barnet Our Ref: ENS 4BE nk January 2021 Deat hndsew; Thank you for your report dated 17 November under regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. was very sorry to read of the tragic death of Mr John Joseph Jennings 2Oth October 2020. report states that Mr Jennings died as a result of a fire in his home and that there were delays in calling the fire and rescue service via an alarm monitoring company: You have raised a concern that the statutory minimum provision of smoke alarms is less than the maximum offered in British Standard 5839. The current guidance supporting building regulations currently sets the minimum level of protection at LD3 in new homes. When this matter was last reviewed, it was concluded that LD3 was an appropriate standard for the general population, however it is recognised in the guidance that a higher standard may be justified where the residents of a building are more vulnerable. It is not clear your report why it was considered necessary to provide Mr Jennings with a connection to an alarm monitoring company. If this was as a result of him being identified as vulnerable, then one might ask why the level of fire detection was not also considered at that time. have asked my officials to raise this with the relevant committee at the British Standards Institute for consideration_ The Government are committed to bringing about the biggest change in building safety for a generation. Part of that programme of work is a full technical review of the standards that support building regulations the important issues of smoke alarms will, of course, be considered as part of that review. Thank you again for your letter. Aullu^ RT HON ROBERT JENRICK MP Your from
uklmhclg Barnet Our Ref: ENS 4BE nk January 2021 Deat hndsew; Thank you for your report dated 17 November under regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. was very sorry to read of the tragic death of Mr John Joseph Jennings 2Oth October 2020. report states that Mr Jennings died as a result of a fire in his home and that there were delays in calling the fire and rescue service via an alarm monitoring company: You have raised a concern that the statutory minimum provision of smoke alarms is less than the maximum offered in British Standard 5839. The current guidance supporting building regulations currently sets the minimum level of protection at LD3 in new homes. When this matter was last reviewed, it was concluded that LD3 was an appropriate standard for the general population, however it is recognised in the guidance that a higher standard may be justified where the residents of a building are more vulnerable. It is not clear your report why it was considered necessary to provide Mr Jennings with a connection to an alarm monitoring company. If this was as a result of him being identified as vulnerable, then one might ask why the level of fire detection was not also considered at that time. have asked my officials to raise this with the relevant committee at the British Standards Institute for consideration_ The Government are committed to bringing about the biggest change in building safety for a generation. Part of that programme of work is a full technical review of the standards that support building regulations the important issues of smoke alarms will, of course, be considered as part of that review. Thank you again for your letter. Aullu^ RT HON ROBERT JENRICK MP Your from
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 21st October 2019 I commenced an investigation into the death of John Joseph Jennings. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest held on the 24th November 2020. The conclusion of the inquest was a short narrative conclusion;
Consequences of a fire at home.
Consequences of a fire at home.
Circumstances of the Death
On the Eighteenth of October 2019 at 01.04 hrs a line was opened to Mr Jennings from an alarm monitoring company to his home following the activation of a smoke alarm.
This call did not result in the London Fire Brigade being called until 01.21 hrs . The Code of Practice for Remote Centres Receiving Signals from Alarm Signals British Standard Code of Practice, if followed, would have resulted in a call to the London Fire Brigade being made after 90 seconds from the line being opened which would, in this case, have resulted in the Fire Brigade arriving whist Mr Jennings was still connected. Had the installation complied with British Standard 5839 at LD1 Maximum Protection level there would have been more measures taken to protect Mr Jennings who had only a single fire detector in the hall at his home. Mr Jennings died at his home from smoke inhalation before the Fire Brigade arrived.
This call did not result in the London Fire Brigade being called until 01.21 hrs . The Code of Practice for Remote Centres Receiving Signals from Alarm Signals British Standard Code of Practice, if followed, would have resulted in a call to the London Fire Brigade being made after 90 seconds from the line being opened which would, in this case, have resulted in the Fire Brigade arriving whist Mr Jennings was still connected. Had the installation complied with British Standard 5839 at LD1 Maximum Protection level there would have been more measures taken to protect Mr Jennings who had only a single fire detector in the hall at his home. Mr Jennings died at his home from smoke inhalation before the Fire Brigade arrived.
Similar PFD Reports
Reports sharing organisations, categories, or themes with this PFD
Related Inquiry Recommendations
Public inquiry recommendations addressing similar themes
Require external wall information for fire services
Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Fire risk assessment failures
Train fire personnel on external wall fire risks
Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Fire risk assessment failures
Require evacuation plans for high-rise buildings
Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Fire risk assessment failures
Require compliant flat entrance doors where unsafe cladding exists
Grenfell Tower Inquiry
Fire risk assessment failures
Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.