Fire asset inspections

New regulations introduced

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (GOV.UK) have been implemented. The Regulations specific to England are being implemented according to Article 24 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (Fire Safety Order) and will become effective on 23 January 2023.

The execution of the recommendations stated in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report, which need a change in the legislation, is significantly advanced by the new rules outlined in article 24.

Buildings affected by the regulations

• The regulations under Article 24 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (Fire Safety Order) apply to the following buildings in England.
• High-rise residential buildings.
• Residential buildings with storeys over 11 metres in height.
• All multi-occupied residential buildings with two or more sets of domestic premises.

High-rise residential buildings

These regulations will make it a requirement in law for responsible persons of high-rise blocks of flats to provide information to Fire and Rescue Services to assist them to plan and, if needed, provide an effective operational response.

In high-rise residential buildings, responsible persons will be required to:

• Provide electronic building plans and details of external wall systems to their local fire rescue service.
• Install secure information boxes for hard copies of plans.
• Undertake monthly checks of firefighting lifts and other firefighting equipment.
• Report any defective lifts or firefighting equipment to us.

Residential buildings with storeys over 11 metres

Responsible persons in multi-occupied residential buildings which are above 11 metres in height, and in high-rise buildings need to provide additional safety measures.

In residential buildings with storeys over 11 metres in height, responsible persons will be required to:

• Undertake annual checks of flat entrance doors and quarterly checks of all fire doors in the common parts.