New Fire Safety Laws Laid in Parliament to Boost Building Protection
Groundbreaking Changes Under the Building Safety Act 2022
The government has laid new commencement regulations in Parliament to activate vital fire safety measures under section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022.
This section revamps the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO), marking Phase 3 of the Home Office’s fire safety overhaul. It follows Phase 1 (Fire Safety Act 2021) and Phase 2 (Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022), aiming to tighten fire safety across all buildings governed by the FSO.
Phase 3: What’s Changing?
- Better cooperation and coordination between Responsible Persons (RPs) managing fire safety.
- Stricter recording and sharing of fire safety info to maintain a building’s continuous safety record.
- Easier enforcement action against those who ignore fire safety rules.
- Ensuring residents get clear, thorough details about fire safety in their homes.
What’s Not Changing Yet?
At this stage, there’s no immediate rule forcing RPs to only appoint competent fire risk assessors. The government is working closely with industry experts to develop a reliable rollout plan, with more updates due in the coming months.
New Fire Safety Guides Now Published
To help RPs stay on track, fresh guidance documents will be released before the new rules kick in. Today, the government published three updated fire safety guides covering small non-domestic premises, small blocks of flats, and small sleeping accommodation.
These replace the old short guide to making premises safe from fire and come alongside a refreshed fire risk assessment checklist — providing practical tools for safer buildings everywhere.
