As of the 1st of October 2023, new fire safety guidance and amendments to Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 of the Regulatory Reform ( Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO ) have come into force.
Are you the responsible person for a small business for a small block of flats or a holiday let?
If you are the responsible person for a small business, a small block of flats or a holiday let, you may have previously been exempt from the requirement to have a written fire risk assessment. As of the 1st October, 2023, it is now a requirement to have a full, written record of your fire risk assessment regardless of the size or use of your building.
Suppose you are the responsible person for a building containing two or more domestic premises (i.e. flats). In that case, there is already a requirement to provide information to residents on the importance of fire doors and what to do in the event of a fire. From 1 October 2023, you will need to provide all residents with information on the risks identified in your fire risk assessment and the fire safety measures in place to keep them safe.
If you are the responsible person for a building where there are multiple responsible persons, for example, a building which is occupied by various businesses, or buildings where the occupier leases/rents the premises from a landlord, you will need to share and keep a record of information on the extent of your fire safety responsibilities. For example, you should establish and document who is responsible for maintaining fire safety measures such as a fire alarm system.
The new Fire Safety (England) Regulations, Fire Safety Act 2021, and the Building Safety Act 2022 are interrelated, and the main points are:
– The principle that fire safety responsibility sits with building owners and managers to complete a fire risk assessment and action on the recommended findings.
– The obligation to create and share detailed and frequently updated fire risk assessments with all parties involved in the building.
– The need to involve and cooperate with fire and rescue services, local authorities, and police forces in preparing emergency plans.
– Building occupants must be made aware of the potential dangers in an emergency through information provision, drills and specific control measures.
– A reinforcement of the importance of regular fire safety checks, with necessary evidence recorded in the building’s inspection report.
The introduction of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations, Fire Safety Act 2021, and the Building Safety Act 2022 embodies the evolving fire safety conversation in England.
These acts provide a fresh approach to proactively solving fire safety concerns by prioritising building occupants’ safety.
By law if you are a building owner or manager, you are now required to meet these new updated standards.
