What led us here?
The new Act implements the recommendations made by Sir Martin Moore-Bick in his Phase 1 report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the conclusions of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Review of The Building Regulations and Fire Safety. The newly revised legislation is designed to make it easier for future changes, including recommendations made following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, to pass into law.
What’s in the detail?
This new Act brings changes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, placing additional responsibility for compliance on the ‘responsible person’ (RP). This could be an employer, freeholder, management company or managing agent depending on your own arrangements.
Full information and guidance can be found here.
Why the change?
The Fire Safety Order originally applied to workplaces and because of this, there was some confusion as to how it applied to residential premises. There were requirements to consider “common areas” such as staircases, hallways, and landings and the front doors of dwellings on those common areas.
However, the new legislation provides clarification on further requirements in premises with two or more domestic dwellings.
What buildings are affected?
The new legislation clarifies that where a building contains two or more sets of domestic premises, the areas to which the Fire Safety Order applies include:
- the building’s structure
- the exterior walls and anything attached to them, such as;
- doors
- windows
- balconies
- cladding
- insulation
- other fixings
- and any common parts
Any future risk assessment must also consider all doors between domestic premises and common parts such as flat entrance doors, although the individual flats themselves are not included.
Who is the Responsible Person?
Chances are if you are reading this it is you, or you think it is you! A responsible person could be an employer, freeholder, management company or managing agent depending on your own arrangements.
I’m the responsible person what should I be doing now?
These areas, highlighted above, should now be considered as part of the fire risk assessment carried out at your premises. Please note that if you currently contract out this work, you must make sure that those engaged to complete the fire risk assessment include those elements detailed above, as you are responsible for complying with the Fire Safety Order.
What have Riskmonitor done as a result of the Act?
We carry out over 3000 Fire Risk Assessments across the UK every year, many of which encompass buildings that now require further scrutiny.
Our FRA’s now consider all aspects covered above and we provide advice to ensure you don’t get left behind.
Our proprietary software. RAMIS, provides all you need to ensure your responsibilities under these changes are not just met, but provide evidence of your commitment to the safety of those living in, or visiting, the premises impacted by this new legislation.
To find out more about how Riskmonitor can help you, email us at fsa21@riskmonitor.net
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