High Rise Building Fire Safety And The COM-B Framework

Improving high rise building fire safety relies not just on technical systems and regulations — it also depends on residents doing certain things, carrying out particular behaviours (e.g. reporting hazards, allowing access for inspections, reading safety information). The COM-B model provides a practical structure to understand why residents may not be engaging with these safety behaviours and how to support them.

What is COM-B?

This is what the COM-B model says needs to happen for behaviour to occur:

  • Capability – people know what to do and have the skills to do it

  • Opportunity – their environment allows and enables the behaviour

  • Motivation – they believe in and want to do the behaviour

If even one is missing, the behaviour is unlikely to occur.

Step 1. Define the Behaviour

Be specific about what you want residents to do. For example:

  • “Report building safety risks (e.g. damaged fire doors, blocked escape routes) to the landlord.”

  • “Allow access for safety inspections and maintenance.”

  • “Read and follow the building safety guidance provided.”

Step 2. Identify the Barriers Using COM-B

Put yourself in the shoes of residents and ask: what might stop them from doing these behaviours?

Capability barriers

  • Do residents understand what counts as a safety risk?

  • Do they know how, where and to whom to report it?

  • Do they understand why allowing access is important?

  • Are instructions provided in clear language and multiple formats/languages?

Opportunity barriers

  • Is it easy and convenient to report an issue (e.g. online portal / phone / in person)?

  • Is access appointment scheduling flexible and respectful of residents’ time?

  • Is the physical environment (e.g. noticeboards, signage) clear and up to date?

  • Are social norms positive? (e.g. “others in my building report issues / keep things safe”)

Motivation barriers

  • Do residents believe their report will lead to action or improvement?

  • Do they trust the landlord or accountable person?

  • Do they feel a personal responsibility for building safety?

  • Are they worried about potential consequences (e.g. conflict with neighbours, rent increases)?

Step 3. Use the Insights to Design Your Communication and Engagement

Barrier Potential Intervention
Residents unsure what to report (Capability) Provide visual examples: “If you see this… report it”
Hard to report issues (Opportunity) Provide multiple, easy-to-use reporting channels and QR codes
Low trust that action will be taken (Motivation) Share examples of issues reported and how they were resolved
Fear or uncertainty about access visits (Motivation) Explain step-by-step what will happen and why it’s important
No sense of collective responsibility (Opportunity/Motivation) Promote “we all play a part” messaging and resident champions

Step 4. Test and Learn

Track the number and quality of safety reports, inspection access rates, and resident feedback. Look for common pain points and re-test messaging or processes. Use data to continuously improve engagement and safety outcomes.

In Summary

Using COM-B allows you to diagnose and tackle the real reasons residents may not carry out essential safety behaviours:

  1. Define the behaviour clearly.

  2. Identify barriers using Capability, Opportunity and Motivation.

  3. Design targeted communications and engagement interventions.

  4. Test and learn, refining over time.

By targeting the right barriers, we move beyond awareness and drive real improvements in building safety behaviour.