Fire Safety Regulations 2022: What You Need to Know

The UK government has recently brought in changes to the Fire Safety Regulations 2022, with effect from 23rd January 2023. This is great news for businesses in Bristol and across the UK, as it will help ensure that their workplaces remain safe and secure.

New fire regulations will cover residential buildings and will give special requirements for those over 11m and 18m in height.

Let’s take a closer look at the fundamental changes:

Responsible persons residing in multi-occupied residential buildings with two or more dwellings must take action to ensure a safe environment for all inhabitants.

Fire Safety Regulations: Requirements for Responsible Persons in Multi-Occupied Residential Buildings

• Fire Safety Instructions: Residents must be informed of all the necessary steps to take when responding to an emergency fire situation. This includes how and when to report a blaze and their evacuation plan for safely exiting any building in which they reside. By understanding these safety guidelines, everyone can rest assured that if ever faced with such an occurrence, they will know precisely what action needs to be taken.
• Fire Door Information: Fire doors play a crucial role in protecting people from the dangers of fire. Residents need to be informed about why these safety measures are integral, so they can stay safe and sound in their homes.
• Additionally: For residential buildings over 11 meters, annual inspections will need to be conducted on flat entrance doors. Also, quarterly evaluations will need to be completed for all fire doors in common areas.

In taller residential buildings exceeding 18m or seven stories, responsible persons must meet all the requirements plus additional duties:

Fire Safety Regulations: Requirements for Taller Residential Buildings

• Information Boxes & Way-Finding Signage: In these taller buildings, information boxes must be placed in all building access points, including hard copies of the building floor plans, and contact information of the persons responsible. Way-finding signage must be installed, and signage must indicate flat and floor numbers.
• Fire-Fighting Equipment: Property owners will be responsible for conducting regular inspections of evacuation and firefighting lifts in their building, as well as other important safety equipment. If any lift or piece of apparatus does not function properly upon inspection, it is vital to quickly report the fault to local Fire and Rescue Services within 24 hours if unable to repair it immediately. Comprehensive records must also be kept throughout this process so occupants can rest assured all necessary precautions have been taken.
• Building Plans: The Fire and Rescue Service requires all property owners to equip their premises with up-to-date electronic building floor plans as well as a concise, single-page guide illustrating the location and use of firefighting equipment. These documents must be safely stored in an onsite secure information box for easy access by rescuers during emergencies.
• External Wall Systems: To ensure that local Fire and Rescue Services are kept up-to-date on the design and material of high-rise buildings’ external walls, building owners must provide complete details. Additionally, they should explain any risk posed by these structures as well as what steps have been taken to mitigate them.

We hope this overview of the new Fire Safety Regulations 2022 has shed some light on how important it is for responsible persons to take action and protect their people, property and environment. Let’s all work together to make sure we are properly prepared and that our premises remain up-to-date with the latest safety guidelines.

FRS Health and Safety can help you ensure your workplace complies with the new Fire Safety Regulations 2022. From fire risk assessments to training, we’re here to support you in staying safe and secure. Contact us today for more information.