We previously reported that regulations
under the Fire Safety Act 2021 which were expected to be published
in Autumn 2021 are now expected to be introduced within the next
few months, although proposals for Personal Emergency Evacuation
Plans (PEEPs) may be subject to further consultation.
ARCH has been advised that the draft regulations are expected to
be laid before parliament shortly.
The Regulations will impose specific new duties on local
authority landlords in managing fire risks in:
- high rise buildings above 18 metres in height,
- multi-occupied residential buildings above 11 metres in height;
and
- in all multi-occupied residential buildings, which contain two
or more sets of domestic premises and contain common parts,
regardless of height.
We anticipate that the regulations will:
a) Define a high-rise residential building in line with
the definition of a "higher-risk building" used in the Building
Safety Bill (at least 18 metres in height or at least seven
storeys).
b) In high-rise residential buildings the designated
responsible person must:
i. Share electronically with their
local Fire & Rescue Service information on their building's
external wall systems, building and floor plans which identify
specified fire-fighting equipment and where a RP is unable to
rectify a fault with the lift used by fire-fighters, evacuation
lift or specified pieces of fire-fighting equipment within 24 hours
of the fault being identified.
ii. Install on site a secure
information box which will include hard copies of the building and
floor plans. This box will also contain the UK contact details of
the RP and any other relevant key-holder.
iii. Undertake monthly
checks of lifts used by fire-fighters and specified fire-fighting
equipment.
iv. Install wayfinding signage
(which identifies floor and flat numbers) in the building's
stairways and lobbies which is visible in low light.
c) In multi-occupied residential buildings with storeys 11
metres and above in height the Responsible Person must:
i. Undertake quarterly
checks on the fire doors in the building's common parts and, on a
"best endeavour" basis undertake annual checks on flat entrance
doors.
d) in all multi-occupied residential buildings, which contain
two or more sets of domestic premises and contain common parts
regardless of height the Responsible Person must:
i. Provide residents with
fire safety instructions which should include instructions on the
evacuation strategy for the building, how to report a fire and any
other instructions which sets out what a resident should do if they
encounter a fire.
ii. Provide residents with
information regarding the importance of fire doors to a building's
fire safety.