Further fire safety regulations
On October 1st, 2023, additional fire safety regulations will be implemented.
This marks the 3rd Phase of the Home Office's fire safety reform programme.
These new legal provisions, outlined in Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, build upon the previous phases, namely the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. The objective of Phase 3 is to enhance fire safety measures in all buildings governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO).
The improvements introduced in Phase 3 aim to:
Enhance cooperation and coordination among Responsible Persons (RPs), who are tasked with ensuring fire safety in FSO-regulated premises.
Increase requirements for recording and sharing fire safety information to create a continuous record throughout the building's lifespan.
Facilitate enforcement authorities in taking action against non-compliance to bolster accountability.
Ensure that residents have comprehensive access to information regarding fire safety measures in their buildings.
While the UK Government is not currently mandating RPs to ensure the competence of those appointed to conduct fire risk assessments, they are actively collaborating with the sector to develop a robust rollout plan. In the coming months, more information and guidance will be provided on this matter.
New fire safety guides
Additionally, to aid those with legal duties for fire safety in specific types of premises, three new guides have been published. These guides are tailored for small non-domestic premises, small blocks of flats, and small sleeping accommodations. Moreover, a fire risk assessment 5-step checklist has been released, assisting individuals responsible for the simplest premises in completing a fire safety risk assessment.
