Fire Safety Act 2021

Question 1

What is the Fire Safety Act 2021?

Answer 1

The Act amends and extends the provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, increasing the obligations of ‘Responsible Persons’.

Question 2

What do the Fire Safety Act 2021 amendments require Responsible Persons to do in relation to fire risks associated with the structure and external walls?

Answer 2

To assess, manage and minimize fire risks in relation to:

• The building’s structure, external walls and any common parts. The external walls include doors or windows in those walls, and anything attached to the exterior of those walls, e.g. balconies and cladding.
• All doors between the domestic premises and common parts.

Question 3

Which types of buildings do the Fire Safety Act 2021 amendments apply to?

Answer 3

Applies to all residential buildings with multiple occupancies, irrespective of their height.

Question 4

For what does the Fire Safety Act 2021 empower the Fire and Rescue Services?

Answer 4

Empowers the Fire and Rescue Service to take enforcement action against non-compliance regarding the external walls and individual doors opening onto shared areas of the premises.

Question 5

What properties does the Fire Safety Act 2021 apply to?

Answer 5

Any building containing two or more sets of domestic premises, e.g., a block of flats.