New Fire Safety Laws Slam Down on Kent and Medway Landlords
From today, landlords and managers of multi-occupied residential buildings in Kent and Medway face strict new fire safety rules. The law demands tougher measures to keep residents safe, especially in taller buildings.
Fire Safety Rules Get Tougher with Building Height
- New nationwide regulations kicked in on January 23, 2023.
- Some rules apply to all buildings with two or more homes.
- Extra safety steps mandatory for buildings over 11 metres tall.
- Highest scrutiny for buildings over 18 metres or seven storeys.
Those in charge must share vital fire info with Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS). This includes up-to-date floor plans highlighting firefighting gear, supplied both electronically and in secure onsite boxes.
They also have to report details about the building’s external wall materials, identify possible risks, and confirm any repairs on firefighting equipment that take longer than 24 hours.
Strict Checks and Resident Info Now Mandatory
- Annual checks on flat entrance doors.
- Quarterly checks on all communal fire doors in buildings over 11 storeys.
- Fire safety instructions and fire door advice must be given to all residents.
- Signage showing flat and floor numbers in stairwells must be visible in low light or smoky conditions.
“We’re here to help people stay safe at home,” said Steve Burwell, KFRS Group Manager for Building Safety. “This is an official change in law for the whole country and we will expect every person responsible for these types of building here in Kent and Medway to adhere to these rules.
“We have plenty of advice and support available, and by working together, we’re helping to make the county’s future safer.”
Why the Change? Lessons from Grenfell
The updated rules come under Article 24 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. They aim to enforce key recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report, putting fire safety front and centre.
If you’re responsible for a multi-occupied building and need guidance, call the KFRS building safety helpline free on 01622 212 442 or email [email protected].
