Survey on fire safety awareness among responsible persons in England

The UK Home Office has published a report detailing the results of a survey conducted between July and September 2023, which aimed to understand the awareness and experiences of responsible persons (RPs) in response to recent changes in fire safety legislation in England.

The survey gathered data from 362 RPs, offering the first high-level description of the types of RPs in England, the buildings they manage, and their relationships with fire risk assessors (FRAs).

As reported by the Home Office, the findings indicate that RPs are largely aware of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations (FSER) and demonstrate a strong intention to implement the new regulatory requirements.

However, the report also highlights a need for RPs to improve their understanding of the legislative changes, particularly in terms of defining roles, competences, and training for both RPs and their FRAs.

Findings on compliance with fire safety regulations

The report suggests that the dissemination of fire safety information has been largely effective, with most RPs showing confidence in complying with FSER.

Areas such as fire door maintenance and the provision of fire safety instructions have been identified as well-handled by RPs, reflecting a commitment to upholding fire safety standards across various building types.

Nevertheless, the report notes that while RPs are aware of the regulations, there is still a need for better understanding, especially regarding the specification of roles and responsibilities.

This is seen as essential for ensuring that RPs and their fire risk assessors are adequately prepared to manage fire safety effectively.

Satisfaction levels among responsible persons with fire risk assessors

The survey results show variation in satisfaction levels among different RP groups when it comes to the quality of services provided by FRAs.

Sixty percent of RPs in the private sector and 69% in the public and third sectors expressed satisfaction with the services provided by FRAs.

However, RPs working with external FRAs reported higher satisfaction levels (71%) compared to those using in-house FRAs (48%).

These findings suggest that external FRAs may offer services that align more closely with the expectations and requirements of RPs.

The data could inform future initiatives to improve the quality and consistency of services across all sectors.

Future areas of focus for fire safety legislation implementation

While the survey results indicate that RPs are adapting to new regulations such as Section 156 of the Building Safety Act (BSA), the report emphasises the importance of providing ongoing guidance and support.

The Home Office suggests that further research could focus on a broader group of RPs to ensure comprehensive communication of fire safety legislation, enhancing compliance and overall safety for residents.

The report also highlights the importance of continuous engagement with both RPs and FRAs to better understand the effectiveness of the legislation and its real-world impact on fire safety.

Fire safety legislation changes in England for responsible persons: Summary

The UK Home Office has released a report based on a survey of 362 responsible persons (RPs) in England, which examined their awareness and preparedness in relation to recent fire safety legislative changes.

The findings suggest that RPs are largely aware of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations and are committed to complying with new regulations such as Section 156 of the Building Safety Act.

However, the report points out the need for improved understanding of roles and training for both RPs and fire risk assessors.

Satisfaction levels with FRAs varied, with external FRAs receiving higher satisfaction ratings than in-house FRAs.

The report calls for ongoing support and communication to ensure effective implementation of fire safety regulations.