IFSJ webinar to examine the UK’s second staircase mandate and its impact on tall building fire safety design
International Fire and Safety Journal (IFSJ) will host a webinar examining the implications of the UK’s second staircase mandate for fire safety strategy, system design and evacuation planning in tall residential buildings.
Titled “Redefining Escape: What the UK’s Second Staircase Mandate Means for Global Fire Safety Design”, the webinar will take place on 11 May 2026 at 11:00 BST.
The session will discuss how the introduction of mandatory second staircases in all new residential buildings over 18 metres is influencing how tall buildings are designed, occupied and managed.
While the requirement is rooted in UK legislation, the discussion will also address the broader relevance of these regulatory changes for international fire safety design and operational practice.
The webinar will examine how the second staircase requirement affects evacuation strategy in multi-stair buildings, including considerations around escape planning, compartmentation, evacuation sequencing and system zoning.
It will also address what building owners and facilities teams should consider to ensure life safety systems remain effective, maintainable and operational across multiple escape routes.
Another focus of the session will be the role of emergency lighting and dynamic signage in supporting evacuation behaviour, particularly as building layouts become more complex.
The discussion will also examine how coordinated approaches to lighting, detection and wayfinding systems can support clearer evacuation routes and reduce complexity during an emergency.
Speakers
The webinar will feature insights from two industry specialists with extensive experience in fire detection and life safety systems.
Martin Green, Commercial Training & Support Manager, Hochiki Europe, has more than 30 years of experience in the fire safety sector, including nearly two decades with Hochiki Europe.
He delivers training and technical support across the UK and provides accredited CPD and practical guidance for those responsible for the design, installation and management of life safety systems.
His expertise covers fire alarm and emergency lighting design, regulatory compliance and fire safety strategy.
He will be joined by Mick Hall, Regional Sales Manager, Hochiki Europe, who has spent the past decade working with architects, consultants, installers and building owners across the UK.
His experience includes system design, application engineering and integrated life safety approaches, including dynamic emergency communication and wayfinding systems.
Together, the speakers bring more than forty years of combined experience in the fire safety market, offering technical insight into the practical implications of the second staircase mandate.
Who should attend
This webinar will be relevant for professionals involved in the design, operation and management of tall buildings, including:
Architects and building designersDevelopers, building owners and asset managersFacilities and estates teamsHealth and safety and fire safety professionalsFire safety installers and electrical engineers
Although the session focuses on UK regulation, it will also provide useful insight for international audiences seeking to understand how regulatory change is influencing tall building fire safety design and operational practice.
Register for the webinar
The webinar will take place on 11 May 2026 at 11:00 BST.
To register, visit: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4263019240448011096