Starting from 1st October 2023, England will embrace novel fire safety guidelines, marking fresh duties for buildings and their owners.

This insight was provided by the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) and is part of Phase 3 of the Home Office’s fire safety reform programme.

A deep dive into the new fire safety reforms

Central to the forthcoming reforms is Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, which makes numerous alterations to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

These changes aim to elevate fire safety standards in all regulated buildings throughout England and Wales.

Main changes ushered in by Phase 3

Responsible persons’ roles revamped

Per the Fire Safety Order, those designated as Responsible Persons will need to set up and strictly maintain appropriate systems for the planning, guidance, monitoring, and revision of a building’s fire safety protocols.

Additionally, there’s an emphasis on better collaboration and organisation among Responsible Persons in buildings with multiple stakeholders.

From the commencement of these reforms, it’s imperative for all Responsible Persons to chronicle fire risk evaluations.

Continuous mandated reporting introduced

The legislation introduces enhanced requirements for accumulating and disseminating fire safety data.

This ensures that vital safety data remains accessible throughout a building’s existence.

Streamlined enforcement for improved compliance

The fresh regulations simplify the process of prosecuting those who neglect fire safety standards.

Several penalties now come with no upper limits, paving the way for potentially unlimited fines.

This also encompasses penalties for new duties presented by these alterations.

Enhanced transparency for residents

It is now mandatory for the Responsible Person to inform occupants about potential fire threats in their buildings and the fire safety measures in place.

This is pertinent to residential structures housing two or more domestic units, such as apartment blocks.

A segment of Section 156 remains pending. This pertains to the necessity for Responsible Persons to confirm that any individual conducting or evaluating a risk assessment possesses the needed competence.

For a comprehensive understanding of these modifications, click here to visit the UK government’s resources.

IFSJ Comment

The revisions in fire safety regulations in England are a significant step towards ensuring that buildings are safer and better equipped to handle potential fire hazards.

The fact that the laws now stress the accountability of Responsible Persons and introduce continuous reporting underscores the importance of constant vigilance in this domain.

The move to increase transparency and keep residents informed is also commendable, fostering a culture of collective responsibility.

In essence, these changes reflect a holistic approach to fire safety, taking into account both the physical infrastructure and the people within.