The Fire Safety Act 2021 clarifies the application of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in buildings containing two or more sets of domestic premises and applies to the structure, external walls and common parts including the front doors of residential areas. It also clarifies that references to external walls in the Order include “doors or windows in those walls” and “anything attached to the exterior of those walls (including balconies).” These amendments to the Order aim to increase enforcement action in these areas, particularly where remediation of aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding is not taking place. The act covers:

•    Premises to which the Fire Safety Order applies

•    Power to change premises to which the Fire Safety Order applies

•    Risk based guidance about the discharge of duties under the Fire Safety Order

•    Extent, commencement and short title

 

READ THE FIRE SAFETY ACT 2021

 

Other regulations and government advice notes also relate to fire safety including:

• Building Regulations: Approved Document B (Fire Safety) requires that any building more than 18m high, measured from the fire brigade access level to the top floor, or which has floors more than 10m below ground must be provided with ‘firefighting shafts’ and a firefighting rising main

• The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury must be maintained in a safe condition

• Fire Doors are recognised by the Government as a vital element of a buildings passive fire protection and are the subject of a Government Advice Note issued in July 2018

 

READ THE GOVERNMENTS FIRE DOOR ADVICE NOTE 16-JULY 2018

​