New Fire Safety regulations for high-rise residential
Updated guidance mandates six-monthly fire safety inspections and external wall risk assessments for all residential towers.
Key Takeaways
- Mandatory 6-monthly inspections of all flat entrance fire doors.
- Quarterly checks on common area fire doors in multi-occupancy residential buildings.
- Requirement for comprehensive external wall and cladding risk appraisals (PAS 9980).
- Direct reporting obligations to local Fire & Rescue Services.
New Statutory Fire Safety Duties
Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations and Building Safety Act framework, Responsible Persons for residential buildings over 11 metres must conduct quarterly checks of fire doors in communal areas and undertake annual checks of flat entrance doors.
External Wall Appraisals
Building owners must document the composition and fire performance of external wall systems. Risk assessments must be conducted in accordance with PAS 9980 methodology and shared with building control authorities and local fire brigades.
Enforcement and Compliance Timelines
Failure to comply with mandatory door checks or maintain an up-to-date fire risk appraisal can result in immediate Prohibition Notices, unlimited fines, and criminal proceedings under the Fire Safety Order.
PropCompliance Advice
Action Required: Ensure communal fire doors and entrance doors have accredited inspection records.
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Next Steps