New Fire Safety Regulations take effect

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, require responsible persons (RPs) to take specific actions, depending on the height of the building.

In preparation for the new regulations, our Protection Officers have been writing to the known RP’s of relevant buildings in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, to raise awareness of the additional requirements they are now legally required to deliver.

Steve Hawkins, Group Commander for Protection said:

“These regulations impose significant new legal requirements for RPs of all multi-occupied residential buildings. We are keen to ensure that they are aware of what this means, both for them and for their building.

“Some of the provisions apply regardless of building height – this includes ensuring that residents are provided with fire safety instructions and information on fire doors. However, additional actions are needed once a building reaches 11 metres, and further requirements are introduced when a building reaches 18 metres (or 7 storeys) or more.”

For those responsible for high-rise blocks of flats, the regulations make it a requirement in law for them to provide their local fire and rescue service with certain information. This includes up to date plans of the building and information on the design and materials of their external walls.

They must also:

• Undertake annual checks of flat entrance doors and quarterly checks of all fire doors in the common parts of the building.
• Undertake monthly checks of firefighting lifts, evacuation lifts and other key pieces of firefighting equipment.
• Install a secure information box and wayfinding signage.

Steve added:

“We welcome these new regulations which have been brought about through the Fire Safety Order and will contribute to improving fire safety in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

“The information we receive from the RPs will help us with our operational planning, and the opportunity to provide advice on additional safety measures that could be implemented.

“We have received a good response to our initial letters to the 47 RPs in our area, but we know there are some who have yet to respond.  

“If you are an RP and have not already done so, we would urge you to familiarise yourself with our guidance Fire Safety Regulations 2022 – Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service (bucksfire.gov.uk). It provides you with all the information, and links to an online form which will help you to ensure you comply with this important new legislation which ultimately aims to keep our Bucks and MK residents safer.”

The  Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 came fully into force on Monday 23 January 2023. They form part of a package of risk-mitigating fire safety measures that the Government is delivering following the Grenfell Tower fire.