Introduction
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 were introduced to strengthen fire safety duties for multi-occupied residential buildings in England. They were made under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and came into force on 23 January 2023. The regulations implement many of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 recommendations that required a change in law, with the aim of improving fire safety in blocks of flats in a practical and proportionate way.
Scope and Definitions
The Regulations apply to multi-occupied residential buildings in England. Some duties apply to all such buildings, while additional duties apply to buildings over 11 metres in height and to “high-rise residential buildings.” A high-rise residential building is defined as a building containing two or more domestic premises that is at least 18 metres high or has at least seven storeys. The main duty-holder is the “responsible person,” usually the person or organisation with control of the premises under the Fire Safety Order.
Responsible Person Duties
The responsible person must take steps to provide key fire safety information and maintain arrangements that assist residents and fire and rescue services. In all multi-occupied residential buildings, residents must be given relevant fire safety instructions and information about fire doors. These instructions should help residents understand evacuation procedures, how to report a fire, and why fire doors must be kept closed and not tampered with.
High Rise Residential Buildings
For high-rise residential buildings, the Regulations impose more detailed requirements. The responsible person must provide the local fire and rescue service with electronic information about the building’s external wall system, as well as electronic copies of floor plans and building plans. They must also keep hard copies of floor plans, a single-page orientation plan, and contact details for the responsible person in a secure information box accessible to firefighters.
Lifts, Equipment, and Signage
In high-rise residential buildings, the responsible person must carry out monthly checks on lifts intended for use by firefighters and on essential firefighting equipment. If a lift or essential firefighting equipment is out of order for more than 24 hours, the local fire and rescue service must be informed. The Regulations also require wayfinding signage that is visible in low-light conditions, helping firefighters identify floors and flats during an emergency.
Fire Doors
For multi-occupied residential buildings over 11 metres in height, responsible persons must carry out quarterly checks of communal fire doors and annual checks of flat entrance doors. These checks are intended to ensure that fire doors remain effective in resisting the spread of smoke and fire. Residents also have an important role in allowing access for checks and in using fire doors properly.
Information and Cooperation
The Regulations support better communication between responsible persons, residents, and fire and rescue services. By requiring plans, building information, resident instructions, and contact details to be available, they help ensure that emergency responders can understand the layout and risks of a building quickly during an incident.
Enforcement and Penalties
The Regulations operate within the framework of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, so enforcement is generally carried out by fire and rescue authorities. Failure to comply may result in enforcement action, including notices and prosecution where appropriate.
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 are an important development in residential fire safety. They focus on practical measures such as sharing building information, checking fire doors and firefighting equipment, improving signage, and informing residents. Their overall purpose is to reduce fire risk and improve emergency response in multi-occupied residential buildings.