By Liam PlumbAs a landlord or building owner, it is important that you have an understanding of fire safety and how it relates to the properties that you are responsible for in order to be able to manage and reduce fire risks.
Here is your guide to the Fire Safety Act 2021 which will cover helpful information such as – the scope and provisions that apply, the responsible persons, what it means for them, the importance of fire safety risk assessments and the potential consequences for those who fail to comply.
What is the Fire Safety Act 2021?
The Fire Safety Act 2021 is an act of Parliament that received Royal Assent in April 2021 and commenced in May 2022 to amend the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This act was designed to improve fire safety in multiple occupancy domestic premises following the Grenfell Tower Tragedy of 2017 and applies to England and Wales.
Overview of the Fire Safety Act 2021
Here is a summary of the clarifications and amendments that the Fire Safety Act 2021 makes to the Fire Safety Order;
- Require all Responsible Persons (the owner, landlord or relevant duty holders) to assess, manage and reduce the risk of fire posed by the structure and external walls of the buildings that they are responsible for. This includes – cladding, insulation, balconies, windows, fixings and any doors between homes and common areas of the building.
- Is no longer dependent on the height of the property but applies to all multi-occupied residential buildings.
- Allows the Fire and Rescue Service to enforce against non–compliance in relation to the external walls and the individual doors that open onto the common parts of the property.
- Requires the Responsible Person to ensure that a fire risk assessment is carried out which takes into account the new requirements set out in the act and that the assessment is reviewed and updated when required.
Places a legal responsibility on the responsible person to take every necessary step to reduce or eliminate any risks identified in the fire risk assessment.
Who is the Responsible Person?
In the Fire Safety Order, a Responsible Person is defined as anyone who has control or anyone who has a degree of control over certain areas within the premises. This definition of control is wide-ranging and can include – landlords, owners, tenants, employers, occupiers and managers.
If you are a Responsible Person for a building to which the Fire Safety Act 2021 applies, you must take steps to ensure that the building is compliant with the requirements of the act.
What Can I Do as the Responsible Person?
A key part of fire safety for any property is the fire risk assessment which can make a huge difference in helping to reduce and prevent the risk of fire as well as impacting the outcome of what would happen if a fire were to break out.
As the Responsible Person, it can be extremely beneficial to enlist the services of a competent professional to undertake the fire risk assessment on your property. This is a great way to ensure that your buildings have been checked and inspected by an experienced specialist who can help to accurately identify any potential issues and provide recommendations for improvements, amendments or changes that need to be made in order to comply with the Fire Safety Act.
If you need a fire risk assessment for your property, then our team of professional, reliable and dedicated assessors provide a fast, efficient and cost-effective service to make sure that your building is safe and compliant. Get in touch today to find out more or to speak to one of our advisors who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.