Your Fire Safety Responsibilities – Fire Services Central Ltd

Stay fully compliant with the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Understanding your duties as a Responsible Person is crucial for protecting residents, employees, and property.

Who Should Read This Guide

This guidance is for:

• Responsible Persons under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.

• Building owners, freeholders, managing agents, or residents’ management companies.

• Employers in workplaces located within residential buildings, such as concierges or commercial spaces.

These regulations apply to all buildings in England with two or more domestic premises, including blocks of flats, student accommodation, and mixed-use buildings.

Background – Why These Regulations Exist

The Grenfell Tower fire (2017), which tragically killed 72 residents, prompted the Public Inquiry and recommendations for stricter fire safety laws.

Key updates include:

• Enhanced duties for Responsible Persons.

• Mandatory checks of fire doors, alarm systems, and emergency equipment.

• Introduction of electronic reporting and secure information boxes in high-rise buildings.

The regulations supplement existing duties under the Fire Safety Order 2005, ensuring buildings are safer for all residents.

Definition of a Responsible Person

A Responsible Person is legally defined and cannot be arbitrarily chosen. Typically, this includes:

• Freeholders or managing agents of a residential building.

• Employers for workplaces within residential premises.

• Organisations acting as legal persons, not just individual residents.

⚠️ If you are unsure whether you are a Responsible Person, seek legal advice.

Duties of the Responsible Person – All Residential Buildings

Information to Residents

• Display clear fire safety instructions in communal areas.

• Instructions must include:

  • Evacuation strategy (stay put or simultaneous evacuation).

  • How to report a fire (999/112, address details).

  • Resident responsibilities during a fire.

• Provide fire safety information to new residents immediately and all residents annually.

• Educate residents about fire doors:

  • Keep doors shut when not in use.

  • Do not tamper with self-closing devices.

  • Report damage or faults promptly.

Duties for Buildings Over 11m in Height

Buildings over 11 metres (typically five storeys or more) have additional responsibilities:

Fire Doors

• Communal area doors: check every three months.

• Flat entrance doors: check annually, keep detailed records.

• Ensure doors self-close properly, are free from damage, and have intact smoke seals.

• Rectify defects promptly, using competent contractors where required.

Wayfinding Signage

• Ensure clear signage for fire crews: floor numbers, flat numbers, and lift information.

• Signs must be visible in normal and low-light/smoke conditions.

Secure Information Box

• Store key information for fire services:

  • Name and contact details of Responsible Person.

  • Floor plans and building plan.

• Inspect annually to ensure accessibility and accuracy.

External Wall Records

• Maintain records of materials, design, and any known defects.

• Provide details to local fire and rescue service electronically.

• Update records after significant modifications.

Duties for High-Rise Residential Buildings

High-rise buildings (18m+ or 7+ storeys) require enhanced fire safety measures:

Floor Plans and Building Plans

• Provide electronic and hard copies to fire and rescue services.

• Identify lifts, rising mains, smoke control, fire suppression systems, and evacuation routes.

• Update plans after layout or equipment changes.

Lifts and Essential Fire-Fighting Equipment

• Monthly checks of:

  • Firefighter lifts and evacuation lifts.

  • Rising mains (wet and dry).

  • Smoke control systems.

  • Fire suppression and alarm systems.

  • Evacuation alert systems (visual inspections only).

• Record all inspections and faults; notify local fire service if faults cannot be fixed within 24 hours.

Other Systems

• Verify automatic door openers/closers, smoke doors, and fire detection devices are operational.

• Rectify issues promptly, prioritising resident and firefighter safety.

Record Keeping & Compliance

• Maintain logs of all checks, inspections, and repairs.

• Ensure fire risk assessments are up to date.

• Provide electronic records to fire services when required.

• Non-compliance can result in unlimited fines or imprisonment.