Understanding the New Fire Safety Regulations

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, came into effect on January 23, 2023 and introduced essential new requirements to enhance fire safety in residential buildings. Here's a comprehensive guide to what these regulations entail and how they impact the Responsible Person.

For Residential Buildings Over 18 Meters:

1. Floor Plans and Premises Information Box:
   
   
   • Provide the local Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) with up-to-date electronic floor plans.
   
   
   • Place a hard copy of these plans, along with a single-page building plan highlighting key firefighting equipment, in a secure premises information box on site.


2. External Walling System Information:
   
   
   • Share details about the design and materials of the building’s external walling system with the FRS.
   
   
   • Inform the FRS of any material changes to the external walls.
   
   
   • Assess and communicate the risk level of the external wall system, including any mitigation steps taken.
   
   


3. Monthly Equipment Checks:
   
   
   • Perform monthly checks on firefighting and escape lifts.
   
   
   • Regularly test key fire safety equipment such as wet/dry risers, automatic opening vents (AOVs), fire alarms, and fire curtains. These checks are additional to routine maintenance and do not require specialist involvement.


4. Fault Reporting:
   
   
   • Report defective lifts or fire safety equipment to the FRS promptly if faults cannot be fixed within 24 hours.


5. Documentation and Resident Communication:
   
   
   • Record all check outcomes and make the results accessible to residents.
   
   
   • Install and maintain a secure premises information box containing the Responsible Person’s contact details and hard copies of the building floor plans.


6. Wayfinding Signage:
   
   
   • Install signage visible in low light or smoky conditions, indicating floor and flat numbers in stairwells and corridors.
   
   
   • Use Sans Serif typeface, with floor numbers at least 75mm high and flat numbers at least 50mm high, placed between 1.7m and 2m above floor level, and ideally at the same height.

For Residential Buildings Over 11 Meters:

1. Fire Door Checks:
   
   
   • Conduct annual checks on flat entrance fire doors and quarterly checks on all fire doors in common areas.
   
   
   • Document these inspections.

For All Multi-Occupied Residential Buildings with Two or More Domestic Premises:

1. Fire Safety Instructions for Residents:
   
   
   • Provide clear instructions on how to report a fire and what actions to take during an evacuation, tailored to the building’s evacuation strategy.
   
   
   • Educate residents on the importance of fire doors and their maintenance.
   
   
   • Reiterate these safety instructions at least once every twelve months.

These new regulations aim to ensure that fire safety measures are up-to-date, functional, and clearly communicated to both residents and fire services. By adhering to these guidelines, the Responsible Person can significantly enhance the safety and preparedness of residential buildings in the event of a fire.