New Fire Safety England Regulations 2022

New Fire Safety England Regulations 2022

The Fire Safety England Regulations 2022, introduced under Article 24 of the Fire Safety Order 2005, have become effective since January 23, 2023. These regulations place a strong emphasis on fire safety in multi-occupied residential buildings. In this article, we will provide an overview of the Fire Safety Act 2022 and its new requirements, focusing on fire doors.

What Are Fire Doors?

Fire doors are a crucial component of a building's passive fire protection system, and they encompass the door leaves, frames, and associated fixtures and fittings. These doors are essential for various building types, including offices, residential complexes, public buildings, and factories, as per standard building regulations.

Fire doors come in different types, each classified based on their ability to withstand fire:

• FD30: 44/45mm thick, providing 30 minutes of fire protection.
• FD60: 54mm thick, offering 60 minutes of fire protection.
• FD90: 64mm thick, providing 90 minutes of fire protection.
• FD120: 64mm thick, offering 120 minutes of fire protection.

Key Functions of Fire Doors

Fire doors serve several critical functions, including:

• Containing the fire within the room where it originates.
• Keeping escape routes, such as corridors, clear from fire, allowing occupants more time to evacuate and providing better access for firefighting personnel.
• Safeguarding the rest of the building, its contents, and nearby structures from further fire damage.

New Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022

The new Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 outline the responsibilities of the Responsible Person concerning the building. Regulation 10 of these regulations mandates the following:

• Providing residents with essential information about fire doors, including the requirement to keep them closed when not in use and not tamper with self-closing devices.
• Reporting any faults or damages to fire doors promptly.
• Ensuring that new residents receive the necessary information as soon as reasonably practicable after moving in.
• Communicating with all residents at least once every 12 months.
• Conducting checks on flat entrance fire doors at least once a year and inspecting fire doors in communal areas every 3 months for buildings with a top storey above 11 meters in height.
• Maintaining digital records of scheduled checks.

Buildings Covered by the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022

The Fire Safety Act 2022 applies to high-rise residential buildings with storeys exceeding 11 meters in height, including blocks of flats and student accommodations. It also encompasses existing multi-occupied residential buildings with two or more sets of domestic premises, communal areas, and entrance doors to flats.

Who Is the Responsible Person?

According to the legislation, the Responsible Person is the individual who exercises control over the premises. This can be the property owner or the managing agent responsible for the fire safety of the premises.

Implications for Building Owners/Responsible Persons

The new Fire Safety Regulations outline the responsibilities of building owners or Responsible Persons. These include:

• Regular checks of fire doors in communal areas every 3 months, including self-closing devices.
• Annual inspections of all flat entrance doors.
• Timely provision of essential information to new residents.
• Regular communication with all residents at least once a year.

Understanding "Best Endeavours" in the New Fire Safety Regulations

The term "best endeavours" legally requires the Responsible Person to take all reasonable steps to fulfil their obligations. In the context of the new Fire Safety Regulations, this means making diligent efforts to engage with residents and conduct annual fire door safety checks.

Minimum Requirements for Fire Safety Inspections

Fire safety inspections have simple, visual procedures that do not require tools. The Responsible Person should:

• Assess potential alterations, damage, or defects in air transfer grilles and fire door glazing.
• Verify the absence of gaps and ensure that all door components, including the frame, seals, and hinges, are correctly fitted.
• Inspect both sides of the door panels to ensure they can resist fire and smoke.
• Check the functionality of self-closing devices.
• Examine the door and door closer for visual damages or wear and tear.

Fire Regulations for Buildings Below 11 Meters

For buildings below 11 meters, the new Fire Safety Regulations do not replace existing duties regarding general fire precautions. Building owners must continue to provide general fire precautions, including installing fire doors.

Residents' Responsibilities

Residents also play a crucial role in fire safety. They should:

• Keep fire doors closed when not in use.
• Avoid tampering with self-closing devices.
• Report any faults or damages to fire doors promptly.

Seek Specialist Assistance

While regular checks are essential, they should not substitute for periodic assessments conducted by qualified fire door specialists. In case of identified damage or complex issues, consulting experts like Preventt is highly recommended to ensure ongoing compliance.

Conclusion

The new Fire Safety England Regulations 2022 prioritise the safety of multi-occupied residential buildings and their occupants by emphasising the role of fire doors and the responsibilities of the Responsible Person. Building owners and residents alike have a part to play in ensuring the effectiveness of fire safety measures, and compliance with these regulations is essential for safeguarding lives and property.

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