How Do Recent Legislative Changes Impact Fire Safety Responsibilities for Building Owners and Managers?

What are the fire safety responsibilities of building owners? The Building Safety Act 2022 brought out legislative changes in fire safety responsibilities for building owners. Basically, the goal of this Act is to ensure the safety of homes across the country.

In fact, the Act came out almost five years after the Grenfell fire incident in 2017. However, there have been recent updates to that regulation. For instance, when it comes to commercial properties, owners and managers need to comply with stricter requirements.

Therefore, if you want to get an idea of the impact of the Building Safety Act 2022 on fire safety responsibilities, read on.

What are the Key Provisions of the Building Safety Act 2022?

After the Grenfell Tower incident, the government came up with new legislation for fire safety. Later, they turned this new legislation into the Building Safety Act 2022. However, the government enforced the Act in October 2024. Despite that, some parts of the Act became enforceable before that.

Basically, the act came up with safety requirements and compliance for high-rise buildings and tower blocks. In fact, the new provisions are for buildings that are at least seven stories or eighteen metres high. Also, those legislations are also for buildings that have at least two residential units.

Moreover, there are four different phases of the building’s lifecycle during which those rules apply. These are design, planning, construction, and residing.

The following are the major provisions of the Building Safety Act 2022 that you need to know about:

1. Improved Risk Assessment

The new regulations came up with comprehensive fire risk assessment systems. Here, the focus is more on high-risk areas like evacuation routes and cladding.

2. Building Safety Accountability

As per the Building Safety Act 2022, any high-rise building needs to have an accountable person in place. Also, that person needs to have clear responsibilities to ensure fire safety measures.

3. Maintaining Systems Regularly

In addition to the various safety measures, there needs to be an inspection system in place for fire systems. In this case, fire systems also include sprinklers and fire alarms. Also, they need to comply with strict performance standards.

Understanding Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022

One of the best things about the Building Safety Act 2022 is that it significantly improves the safety and standard of buildings. Here, the fire safety compliance and Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 amended the previous Fire Safety Order of 2005. This helped to strengthen fire safety measures across the country.

Hence, as a building owner or manager, you will need to understand Section 156 and comply with its changes. The following are the major changes that Section 156 of the Building Safety Act made to Fire Safety Order 2005:

1. Document all Fire Risk Assessments

As a building owner, manager, or person responsible for fire safety, you need to document all fire risk assessments. This is mandatory for all, regardless of the size of the building. In addition to that, you will also need to maintain clear records of all fire safety management in the property.

2. Identify all Fire Risk Assessors

You also need to record the identities of all individuals/organisations that review or undertake a part in the fire risk assessment.

3. Offer Necessary Information to Residents/Tenants

If there are at least two domestic premises, you have to provide proper information to residents regarding fire safety. Also, you will need to ensure that they understand the information that you gave them.

4. Cooperate with Responsible People

As a responsible person for fire safety, you need to take reasonable steps to identify fire safety duties in the building. Also, you need to ensure there is proper cooperation among people who take up fire safety duties. Overall, their approach to fire safety must be well coordinated.

5. Higher Penalties for Non-Compliance

If the building owners or managers fail to take certain steps or underscore the importance of complying with fire safety regulations, they need to pay fines. Basically, the new regulations increased the level of fines due to such offences.

How Does the New Regulation Impact Building Owners and Managers?

If you are a commercial building owner or a manager, you will have greater responsibilities to ensure fire safety standards. Also, you will need to put up with higher costs to comply with these safety standards.

Hence, the new fire safety regulations will impact you as a building owner/manager in the following ways:

1. Scrutinizing Building Materials

You will need to scrutinise and replace all non-compliant materials in the building. These also include unsafe cladding. Apart from that, you will also need to budget for these upgrades if you want to avoid penalties.

2. Installing High-Quality Fire Safety Systems

Make sure you use higher-quality fire safety systems. For instance, you must make sure the fire extinguishers, fire alarms, sprinklers, etc., meet strict performance requirements. In addition to that, you will also need to ensure regular inspections of those systems.

3. Ensuring Resident or Tenant Safety

You will need to provide clear evacuation plans to ensure regulatory compliance and tenant safety. Apart from that, you will also need to conduct safety drills from time to time for better awareness. This way, you will not only be able to keep the tenants and residents informed, but you will also be able to stay compliant with regulatory requirements.

4. Higher Compliance Costs

It goes without saying that to ensure stricter compliance with new fire safety regulations, you will need to put up with higher costs. For instance, you have to invest in assessments, maintenance, and upgrades. However, the silver lining is that this way, you will be able to protect your property as well as your reputation.

The Way Forward

The recent fire safety legislation obligates building owners and managers to enhance their fire safety standards. Hence, it is important that you understand your responsibilities and obligations. As a result, you will be able to take the necessary measures and implement high-quality fire safety systems.

This way, you will be able to safeguard your property, occupants and your reputation. Moreover, you can ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Do you have more details to add regarding fire safety requirements for building owners and managers? Consider sharing them in the comments section below.