High-Rise Fire Safety Regulations to Be Revised

New legislation aimed at strengthening fire safety standards in Jersey’s tall residential buildings has been formally proposed.

The draft law, lodged by Home Affairs Minister Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, seeks to modernise existing regulations and bring them in line with lessons learned from the Grenfell Tower fire. The measures are designed to improve protection for both residents and emergency services.

Deputy Le Hegarat said Jersey’s current fire safety framework had lagged well behind standards adopted in the UK, other Crown Dependencies and internationally.

If approved by the States Assembly, the updated rules would introduce mandatory safety features such as self-closing fire doors, smoke management systems, emergency alarm installations and dedicated fire service lifts. The minister said the changes would lead to “a significant improvement” in safety for thousands of islanders.

According to the Government of Jersey, the island has more than 125 residential buildings standing 11 metres (36 feet) or higher, collectively home to over 8,000 people.

The proposed legislation would apply to all residential blocks exceeding 11 metres in height that contain two or more homes and shared corridors or stairwells.

Residents living in tall buildings were consulted on the proposals earlier this year, and the government says their feedback helped shape the draft law.

The earliest date the legislation could be debated by States members is 3 February 2026.