P2-27 Response Accepted

Standardise fire control switches and keys

Recommendation

We are not in a position to determine whether greater standardisation of the fire control switches and keys is required. We therefore recommend that the government seeks urgent advice from the Building Safety Regulator and the National Fire Chiefs Council on the nature and scale of the problem and the appropriate response to it. (113.43)

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
The government accepted this recommendation in February 2025, tasking the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to review guidance and survey fire and rescue services. A gov.uk progress update from February 2026 reports that the NFCC and BSR completed their finalised position on measures for lift key guidance and standardisation, with updated guidance published on the NFCC website on 23 October 2025. A meeting on 31 October 2025 confirmed the BSR's internal consideration of the matter.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 24 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
England
Response
Accepted
Accepted UK Government
26 Feb 2025

The government accepts this recommendation. The National Fire Chiefs Council are reviewing the guidance for the provision of lift fire control switches with the Building Safety Regulator to support a view on standardisation in buildings. They are also surveying fire and rescue services to establish how lift keys, and the type of key, are distributed to firefighters.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Official Report
01 Feb 2026

National Fire Chiefs Council and Building Safety Regulator completed finalised position on measures ensuring appropriate lift key guidance and standardisation. Meeting held 31 October 2025 confirmed BSR internal consideration. Updated guidance published on NFCC website 23 October 2025 following Operational Preparedness Committee approval 22 October.

Source
Report Grenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 Report 04 Sep 2024
Responsible Bodies
UK Government Primary
Recommendation age 1.6 yrs
Last formal update 01 Feb 2026