In the aftermath of the devastating Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017, the fire safety legislation in the UK has undergone a major overhaul.
With the aim of preventing future disasters and improving fire safety in multi-occupied residential buildings, the Fire Safety Act has been enacted in England and Wales, bringing about significant changes for responsible persons.
What is the Fire Safety Act?
The Fire Safety Act, which reached Royal Assent in April 2021, clarifies the scope of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO) to include external walls, windows and doors between domestic premises and common areas in multi-occupied residential buildings.
This means that responsible persons are now required to manage and reduce the risk of fire spread in these areas.
What does it mean for responsible persons?
The new legislation applies to any building with two or more sets of domestic premises, including flats, Halls of Residence, and boarding houses.
This expands the scope of the RRO beyond commercial buildings and now includes all properties with multiple domestic units. This means that as many as 1.7 million properties fall under this new legislation’s catchment.
What are the key changes?
One of the key changes brought about by the Fire Safety Act is that Article 9 of the RRO now requires a fire risk assessment to include assessment of external walls, doors, windows, and common areas in multi-occupied residential buildings.
This assessment must be detailed and identify any potential fire hazards and how to manage them effectively.
Additionally, a new document called PAS 9980 has been introduced to address fire risk appraisals for external walls.
This document is not only beneficial for existing buildings but also for those under construction where the Building Safety Act applies.
What is PAS 9980?
PAS 9980 provides guidance on appraising external wall constructions to assess their fire risk. This is mainly focused on buildings over 18 meters in height or six stories and above.
The document outlines the key factors that need to be considered in the fire risk appraisal, including the type of external wall construction, the presence of balconies, solar panels, and other equipment attached to external walls.
Why are these changes necessary?
The changes brought about by the Fire Safety Act are necessary to improve fire safety in multi-occupied residential buildings.
The Grenfell Tower tragedy highlighted the need for stricter regulations in preventing the rapid spread of fire through external walls and common areas.
By including these areas in fire risk assessments, responsible persons can identify and manage any potential fire hazards effectively.
What about Scotland and Northern Ireland?
While the Fire Safety Act only applies to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own separate fire safety legislation.
However, it is essential to keep up with the developments in fire safety regulations in all regions of the UK to ensure compliance and maintain a high level of fire safety.
Conclusion:
The Fire Safety Act has brought about significant changes in fire safety legislation, extending the scope of the RRO to include external walls and common areas in multi-occupied residential buildings.
Responsible persons must now conduct detailed fire risk assessments, including these areas, to identify and manage any potential fire hazards effectively.
Additionally, PAS 9980 provides guidance on appraising external wall constructions to assess their fire risk.
These changes are crucial in improving fire safety and preventing future tragedies like Grenfell Tower.
Keep an eye out for any further updates and changes in fire safety legislation in your region to ensure compliance and maintain a safe environment for all.
