Fire safety update and what you need to know

Business and multi-residence buildings must now comply with updated fire safety laws.

With new laws that came into effect on 1st October 2024, businesses and multi-residence buildings must now company with updated fire safety laws.

Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 took effect on 1 October 2023, which means that all businesses in England must document their fire risk assessments and fire safety arrangements. The revised legislation also requires that in residential buildings housing two or more domestic premises, residents must receive information about fire risks and the fire safety measures put in place for their protection.

Premises including small shops, take-aways, holiday lets and small blocks of flats are affected by the changes.

Key points residential and commercial agents should be aware of:

• All businesses must record a fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements in full – there are no exceptions based on the size or type of business.

• There are increased requirements for co-operation and co-ordination between Responsible Persons in multi occupied buildings or those where the occupier and owner are not the same person. 

• In residential buildings with two or more domestic premises residents must be provided with information on the risks from fire and the fire safety measures provided to keep them safe.

Business Specific Fire Requirements (Non-Residential)

Complying with the new Fire Safety Legislation from 1 October 2023

In a bid to improve fire safety in buildings, new fire safety legislation came into force on 1 October 2023, amending section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022.

Many businesses and building owners will now need to check that they are complying with the new regulations, in particular businesses with under 5 employees, holiday lets, small blocks of flats and small shops.

The main fire safety legislation changes are:

• All businesses will now need to record a fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements in full – regardless of size, sector, and no. of employees.
• Increased requirements for cooperation between Responsible Persons in multi-occupied buildings

Every business must have a designated ‘Responsible Person’ who is responsible for recording their completed fire risk assessment in full. The Responsible Person may appoint an external supplier to carry out the fire risk assessment, but it must be carried out by a Competent Person.

Fire Risk Assessment

Whilst anyone can carry out a Fire Risk Assessment in your business, you need to be confident they can:

• Correctly identify the potential causes of fire in the business
• Identify the people at risk
• Assess the suitability of fire safety measures in place, like fire alarm systems and escape routes
• Assess the ongoing management of fire safety in the business, such as fire drills and staff training
• Develop a fire safety action plan if changes are needed
• Record all the significant findings
• Implement the action plan if one is needed
• Keep the fire risk assessment updated on an ongoing basis

It is highly recommended to use fire safety professionals who are registered on an approved scheme such as the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM), where it is mandatory to maintain CPD and are recognised to have the skills, experience and qualifications to carry out Fire Risk Assessments.

Your fire risk assessment must be reviewed regularly – annually is sufficient unless there are any fundamental changes to your building or arrangements.

Failure to comply

The penalty for not having an appropriate Fire Risk Assessment and suitable fire safety precautions can be prosecution, with severe fines and, if extreme negligence is proven, a prison sentence.

For more information

To speak to a safety professional in the southwest, please contact JCT Health & Safety Consulting on 07581 264405 or emailing info@safety-compliance.co.uk