The government has published its Response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report. This Insight takes a closer look at the Response focusing on some of the major reforms the government plans to make and the timeframes...more
The integration of e-bikes and e-scooters into the urban fabric of New York City has raised questions about the potential risks they pose within the confines of multi-unit apartment buildings. Landlords, tasked with ensuring...more
As the demand for clean energy and transportation grows, so does the need for rechargeable batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used, from small toys to electric cars to large energy storage systems. While some...more
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries, commonly found in devices used every day, including cell phones, e-cigarettes, and laptops. Lithium-ion batteries are also found in electric vehicles, e-scooters, and other...more
The use of electric vehicles (EVs) and micromobility devices (EMDs), e.g., electric scooters, electric bikes, and hoverboards, is on the rise and the accompanying potential risks of EVs and EMDs have become a new area of...more
On July 28, 2023, in response to three separate fires at Battery Energy Storage System (“BESS”) locations in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the creation of an inter-agency fire safety working group. The Fire...more
Since the major fire event at Grenfell Tower in June 2017, a significant period of cultural and professional change has occurred within the construction industry in regard to fire safety. During this period, we have seen the...more
Having recently come into force on 23 January 2023, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (‘FSR’) impose fresh obligations on the ‘responsible person’ (‘RP’) of existing multi‐occupied residential buildings. This is...more
The First Tier Tribunal (FTT) has allowed a landlord to dispense with the statutory requirement to consult with leaseholders prior to carrying out substantial fire safety works to a multi-storey residential building....more
The NYC Fire Department has attributed the cause of many recent fires, some fatal, to overheating lithium-ion batteries (“LIBs”) used in e-bikes and similar electrically powered personal conveyances (generally, “e-bikes”)....more
Since our previous update on the Building Safety Act 2022, the legislative landscape around fire safety has continued to evolve, with the Fire Safety Regulations coming into force, and new Higher-Risk Buildings Regulations...more
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (Regulations) came into force on 23 January 2023. Government guidance to accompany the Regulations was published in December 2022. The Regulations introduce new, additional...more
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Code, the federal building code regulating the manufacture, installation, and overall safety standards of manufactured homes, is about to undergo another major...more
Report on Supply Chain Compliance 3, no. 5 (March 5, 2020) - A major supplier of denim to global brands had extremely poor safety measures in place, which were exposed after a deadly fire raged through the factory Feb. 8,...more
In a landmark ruling by an arbitration tribunal last month, claims against two global fashion brands under the 2013 Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh (the “Bangladesh Accord“) were declared admissible and...more
The California Attorney General has reiterated fire protection districts’ broad authority to enforce building standards and regulations disseminated by the State Fire Marshal, including for residential occupancies and...more
Most multifamily owners are familiar with reserve requirements for items such as fire alarms and alarm replacement. Yet those owners may be surprised to learn that complying with the latest fire code changes can jeopardize...more
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated its fire safety regulations governing certain Medicare and Medicaid participating health care providers. These include hospitals, critical access hospitals...more