Enhancing Fire Safety in Buildings: Important Updates Ahead
Stay informed about upcoming changes in fire safety legislation under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, set to take effect on 1 October 2023. These revisions will impact a wide range of premises, including small shops, takeaways, holiday rentals, and small apartment complexes. Key updates to your requirements as someone responsible for a business or building include:
Comprehensive Documentation
Regardless of your business's size or type, all businesses must maintain a detailed fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements record.
Enhanced Cooperation
In multi-occupied buildings or those where the occupier and owner are different people, there are increased requirements for cooperation and coordination among Responsible Persons.
Resident Awareness
Residential buildings with two or more domestic premises must provide residents with information about fire risks and the safety measures in place to protect them.
A Overview of Upcoming Changes in the Fire Safety Order
Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022
Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 introduces several amendments to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, aimed at bolstering fire safety in all regulated buildings.
These improvements mark the third phase of the Home Office's fire safety reform program, building upon Phase 1 (Fire Safety Act 2021) and Phase 2 (Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022). This new fire safety legislation will be effective from 1 October 2023.
Phase 3 will further strengthen fire safety in all FSO regulated premises by:
- Enhancing cooperation and coordination among Responsible Persons (RPs).
- Increasing requirements for recording and sharing fire safety information, ensuring a continuous record throughout a building's lifespan.
- Simplifying enforcement against non-compliance.
- Ensuring residents have access to comprehensive fire safety information about their building.
Legal Responsibilities for Responsible Persons (RP)
The Building Safety Bill received Royal Assent in April 2022, becoming the Building Safety Act 2022. This legislation amends the Fire Safety Order to:
- Mandate that all RPs maintain a comprehensive fire risk assessment record, including specific information.
- Require RPs to document the identity of individuals or organizations engaged to conduct or review fire risk assessments.
- Require RPs to record their fire safety arrangements, demonstrating how they manage fire safety on their premises.
- Require that RPs update and share their contact information, including a UK-based address.
- Require RPs to identify other Responsible Persons and Accountable Persons (for higher-risk residential buildings) related to the same premises.
- Ensure departing RPs share all relevant fire safety information with incoming Responsible Persons.
- Require RPs of buildings with multiple domestic premises to provide residents with easily understandable fire safety information.
- Increase fines for certain offences.
- Strengthen the status of statutory guidance issued under Article 50 of the Fire Safety Order.
Additionally, there's a legislative requirement that the appointed fire risk assessor must be competent, although the effective date for this requirement will be announced later. In the meantime, it is recommended that fire risk assessors possess sufficient training, experience, knowledge, and other qualifications. The Responsible Person remains responsible for ensuring a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is conducted.