New Fire Safety Rules Hit Kent and Medway Multi-Occupied Buildings
Landlords and building managers in Kent and Medway, listen up! From January 23, 2023, new fire safety laws have come into force for multi-occupied residential buildings. These regulations target your responsibilities and could save lives.
What You Must Do Now
- Comply with fire safety measures based on building height.
- Buildings over 11 metres face tougher rules; those over 18 metres (or seven storeys) have even more stringent requirements.
- Provide Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) with updated floor plans electronically and on-site to aid firefighting efforts.
- Share details about external wall materials, fire risks, and any faults in firefighting equipment expected to take more than 24 hours to fix.
- Conduct yearly checks on flat entrance doors and quarterly checks on fire doors in common areas for buildings above 11 storeys.
- Provide residents with fire safety instructions and fire door advice.
- Install clear, illuminated signage in stairwells showing flat and floor numbers that remain visible in smoke or low light.
Official Warns: “We Expect Full Compliance”
“We’re here to help people stay safe at home,” said Steve Burwell, Group Manager for Building Safety at KFRS. “This is an official change in law for the whole country, and we expect every person responsible for these types of buildings in Kent and Medway to stick 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.”
Background & How to Get Help
The new rules stem from Article 24 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and follow important recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report.
If you’re unsure about your duties or need support, contact KFRS’ free building safety helpline on 01622 212 442, or email [email protected].
