Hackney Fire Safety Review: What Has Happened?
Hackney Council has appointed two specialist consultants to carry out major fire safety reviews across its high rise and mid rise housing blocks.
The council awarded two contracts, each worth around £7.8 million, to Frankham Risk Management and Airey Miller Ltd. Their work will include intrusive surveys, fire engineering advice, and detailed checks across Hackney’s housing estates. In simple terms, the council wants to understand where the risks are, how serious they are, and what needs to be fixed first.
Why Fire Safety Matters in Hackney
For residents, this is not just another council procurement story. Fire safety affects whether people feel safe in their own homes. That matters even more in taller buildings, where risks can be harder to assess and slower to fix.
Hackney has previously said its council blocks did not use the same Aluminium Composite Material cladding linked to the Grenfell Tower fire. Even so, the council has carried out cladding removal work across several estates. This shows why fire safety cannot focus on one material alone. A safe building depends on external walls, fire doors, escape routes, alarms, compartmentation, records, and day-to-day management.
Funding and Remediation Targets
The government’s Remediation Acceleration Plan has increased pressure on landlords to act faster. By the end of 2029, residential buildings over 18 metres in government funded schemes are expected to be remediated. Buildings over 11 metres with unsafe cladding must also be fixed or have a clear completion date, with penalties possible where landlords fail to act without good reason.
Hackney’s decision to invest further funding reflects that pressure. The review is expected to run over four years and is linked to government support through the Cladding Safety Scheme. It is practical, necessary work. Not glamorous, admittedly, but neither is discovering serious building defects late in the day.
Compliance Under the Building Safety Framework
The Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety Order have raised expectations for landlords and building owners. Responsible organisations must understand their risks, keep accurate records, and show how they are managing safety over time.
For Hackney, these consultant appointments should help create a clearer picture of the work needed across its housing stock. That evidence will help the council plan budgets, prioritise buildings, meet legal duties, and give residents better answers.
Hackney Council also provides residents with guidance on council home fire safety, including how to report hazards and access building safety information. That resident-facing communication is important, because safety is not just about surveys. It is also about trust.
Advance Your Career in Building Safety
This investment also shows why fire safety skills are in demand. Councils, housing associations, consultants, and contractors all need people who can inspect buildings, manage compliance, review evidence, and support remediation work.
L&Q is currently advertising a Building Safety Manager role in Stratford, with a salary of £57,094 to £68,500.
For professionals who want to work on meaningful safety projects, this is a strong route into a sector that is only becoming more important. Apply here
