The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 are an important step towards implementing the recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report. This regulatory reform comes into force from 23 January 2023 under Regulation 10, Article 24 of the Fire Safety Order 2005 – and applies to England only.
From this date, the new fire safety regulations will make it a legal requirement for responsible persons for all multi-occupied residential buildings with storeys above 11 metres in height to:
- Undertake quarterly checks of all fire doors (including self-closing devices) in the common parts.
- Undertake – on a best endeavour basis – annual checks of all flat entrance doors (including self-closing devices) that lead onto a building’s common parts.
Responsible persons will also be required to provide residents with information on the importance of fire doors to the building’s fire safety.
Grenfell Inquiry
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry in the Phase 1 report states that: “Fire doors play an essential role in preventing or inhibiting the spread of smoke and toxic gases and in preserving the effective compartmentation of buildings.”
The Inquiry found that the fire doors in Grenfell did not, through damage and/or disrepair, act as they should to prevent smoke and gases from spreading.
What does “best endeavour basis” mean?
Responsible persons must determine the best approach to engage with residents to obtain access to each flat and undertake the annual checks of the entrance doors. This might include arranging a date with the resident to be granted access.
If the responsible person is denied access, they must provide evidence of their efforts to discharge this duty – such as correspondence from them to the resident requesting permission to access their residence.
Minimum requirements for fire door inspections
The minimum requirement for the responsible person is to inspect the fire doors to identify any obvious damage or issues.
There are a range of factors they should consider – from ensuring the door closes correctly around the whole frame to identifying any visible damage (either deliberate or from wear and tear) to the door or door closer.
Buildings below 11 metres
The existing duty remains for a responsible person to implement general fire precautions in any premises covered by the Fire Safety Order, regardless of its height.
The Fire Safety Act 2021 clarifies that all residential buildings containing two or more sets of domestic premises fall within the remit of the Fire Safety Order.
Responsible persons for residential buildings below 11 metres in height are duty-bound to implement general fire precautions. This includes ensuring all fire doors – including entrance doors – provide adequate protection.
Responsible persons must also provide residents in residential buildings with two or more sets of domestic premises with relevant information about fire doors.
For help ensuring your risk assessments are fully compliant with the new fire door regulations, contact Doorview today. #responsibleperson #Doorview #firesafetyregulations #firesafety
