In 2022, fire safety regulations in England underwent significant updates (Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022), reflecting a growing commitment to enhancing public safety and reducing fire risks across various sectors. These regulations aim to provide clearer guidelines for property owners, businesses, and organizations, ensuring that fire safety measures are not only implemented but actively maintained. As we delve into the specifics of these regulations, it’s essential to understand their implications for compliance, the responsibilities of designated fire safety officers, and the critical importance of regular risk assessments. Whether you are a homeowner, a business owner, or a facility manager, staying informed about these changes and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 is vital for safeguarding lives and properties against the ever-present threat of fire.
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduce new duties under the Fire Safety Order for building owners or managers (responsible persons).
The Government have implemented regulations (Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022) under Article 24 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (commonly referred to as the Fire Safety Order) to enact the majority of the recommendations outlined in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which necessitated legislative changes.
These regulations legally mandate that responsible individuals overseeing high-rise residential buildings must supply pertinent information to Fire and Rescue Services. This is crucial for effectively planning and executing operational responses when necessary.
Moreover, the regulations stipulate that those responsible for multi-occupied residential buildings, specifically high-rise structures and those exceeding 11 meters in height, must implement additional safety measures.
In all multi-occupied residential buildings, responsible persons are required to furnish residents with fire safety instructions, highlighting the significance of fire doors. It is important to note that these regulations are applicable to existing structures, while the requirements for new constructions may differ.
In high-rise residential buildings, responsible persons are required to:
Building plans: provide their local Fire and Rescue Service with up-to-date electronic building floor plans and to place a hard copy of these plans, alongside a single page building plan which identifies key firefighting equipment, in a secure information box on site.
External wall systems: provide to their local Fire and Rescue Service information about the design and materials of a high-rise building’s external wall system and to inform the Fire and Rescue Service of any material changes to these walls. Also, they will be required to provide information in relation to the level of risk that the design and materials of the external wall structure gives rise to and any mitigating steps taken.
Lifts and other key firefighting equipment: undertake monthly checks on the operation of lifts intended for use by firefighters, and evacuation lifts in their building and check the functionality of other key pieces of firefighting equipment. They will also be required to report any defective lifts or equipment to their local Fire and Rescue Service as soon as possible after detection if the fault cannot be fixed within 24 hours, and to record the outcome of checks and make them available to residents.
Information boxes: install and maintain a secure information box in their building. This box must contain the name and contact details of the Responsible Person and hard copies of the building floor plans.
Wayfinding signage: to install signage visible in low light or smoky conditions that identifies flat and floor numbers in the stairwells of relevant buildings.
In residential buildings with storeys over 11 metres in height, responsible persons are required to:
Fire doors: undertake annual checks of flat entrance doors and quarterly checks of all fire doors in the common parts.
More information can be found regarding the fire door checks - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6538e381e6c9680014aa9a58/Fire+Safety+_England_+Regulations+2022+fire+door+guidance.pdf
In all multi-occupied residential buildings with 2 or more sets of domestic premises, responsible persons are required to:
Fire safety instructions: provide relevant fire safety instructions to their residents, which will include instructions on how to report a fire and any other instruction which sets out what a resident must do once a fire has occurred, based on the evacuation strategy for the building.
Fire door information: provide residents with information relating to the importance of fire doors in fire safety.
Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: Where these regulations apply?
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 apply in England only.
fire safety information that must be provided to residents and tenants
In the upcoming section of this blog, we will delve into the crucial topic of fire safety information that must be provided to residents and tenants, as mandated by the Fire Safety England Regulations 2022. This information is fundamental for ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals living in multi-occupied residential buildings. Understanding these regulations is essential, as they outline the responsibilities of landlords and property managers in delivering vital fire safety instructions and guidance to occupants, thereby fostering a secure living environment for all.
You should display fire safety instructions in a conspicuous part of the building. The instructions must be in a comprehensible form that residents can reasonably be expected to understand.
The instructions should cover the following matters:
• The evacuation strategy for the building (e.g. stay put or simultaneous evacuation)
• Instructions on how to report a fire (e.g. use of 999 or 112, the correct address to give to the fire and rescue service, etc.)
• Any other instruction that tells residents what they must
These instructions must also be provided directly to new residents as soon as reasonably practicable after they move into their accommodation.
You must also provide relevant information about fire doors, particularly residents’ flat entrance doors, as these play an important part in containing any fire within the flat in which it starts. In particular, you must provide information to all residents to the effect that:
• Fire doors should be shut when not in use.
• Residents or their guests should not tamper with self-closing devices on fire doors.
• Residents should report any fault with, or damage to, fire doors immediately to the Responsible Person.
When managing your property, it is recommended to establish an effective resident engagement strategy. This ensures a relevant communication channel between the landlord and tenants, facilitating the dissemination of fire safety information and maintaining building safety. By fostering understanding among residents, you can ensure they are aware of the necessary safety actions and the active and passive fire protection measures in place.
For the full suite of guidance regarding Fire Saftey England regulations 2022, please visit the below link
We appreciate your time in reading this brief blog post concerning the Fire Safety England Regulations of 2022. We trust that you found this information valuable. We strongly encourage you to visit the government guidance site linked above to deepen your understanding of this new legislation.
We invite you to connect with a member of the 225 Fire Solutions team or explore our website for more information on arranging a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment for your property. Our services cater to both commercial and residential properties of all sizes and types. We have successfully supported responsible individuals nationwide in adhering to legislation and best practice guidelines.
Our team of fire risk assessors and consultants is fully accredited by the Institute of Fire Safety Managers. Additionally, our team members maintain memberships with the Fire Protection Association, all of which can be verified during your booking process.
Once again, we hope you found the blog informative, and we eagerly anticipate hearing from you soon.
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