By Liam PlumbIf you are the owner, landlord or person responsible for a multi-occupied residential building, then it is crucial that you fully understand the relevant fire safety regulations that apply to your property and what specific actions need to be taken.
Here we are focusing on the Fire Safety Regulations 2022 and providing a rundown of key information such as what they are, where they apply and what this means for the ‘Responsible Person’.
The Fire Safety Regulations 2022 – What Are They?
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 came into force in January 2023 and were introduced under article 24 of the Fire Safety Order as an important step towards implementation of the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report.
The regulations only apply to England and most of the requirements set out in them are imposed on the Responsible Persons (RPs) in multi-occupied residential buildings to take specific actions depending on the height of the property;
- Some provisions apply no matter the height of the building
- More are required once a building reaches 11 metres
- Further requirements are introduced for buildings over 18 metres (7 storeys)
Requirements of The Fire Safety Regulations 2022
Here are some of the changes and new duties that are introduced for the Responsible Persons under the new regulations, based on the building’s height;
All Residential Buildings
- Display clear and accurate fire safety instructions where they can be seen and understood easily
- Provide instructions for fire doors to residents
Residential Buildings with 2 or More Domestic Premises
- Fire risk assessment prioritisation tool (FRAPT)
- Assisting fire and rescue services and providing information to help them plan for how to best respond to an incident in your building
- Provide additional safety measures
- Ensure that all residents are given accurate fire safety instructions on how to report a fire or what to do if a fire occurs
- Provide residents with information on the importance of fire doors in relation to fire safety
Residential Buildings Above 11m
Everything listed above as well as;
- Undertake annual checks of flat entrance doors
- Quarterly checks of all fire doors in common parts
Residential Buildings Above 18m or 7 Storeys
For what is classified as a ‘high-rise’ building then the RPs must provide everything listed in the sections above in addition to;
Supplying the local fire and rescue service with;
- Information on the design and materials of external walls and the level of risk they present
- Accurate and up to date electronic floor and building plans
Within the property itself you need to ensure that there is;
- A secure information box containing a single page plan indicating where key firefighting equipment is, information on the Responsible Person and hard copies of building floor plans
- Wayfinding signage which identifies flats, floor numbers and firefighting lifts
- Monthly checks on lifts and firefighting equipment with faults reported and fixed within 24 hours
How Can I Make Sure That My Building Complies with the Fire Safety Regulations 2022?
These regulations have been put in place for a reason and failing to adhere to them can lead to devastating consequences, including loss of life. For those responsible, failing to comply with the required Fire Safety Regulations can result in property damage, unlimited fines, penalties and even a prison sentence.
At T2 Fire, our team of dedicated experts are here to help and can provide comprehensive fire risk assessments, guidance and support to ensure that your building is safe and compliant, for complete peace of mind.