Fire Safety Act 2021: The Complete Guide

What is the Fire Safety Act 2021?

The Fire Safety Act 2021 was introduced following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, an incident that resulted in 72 deaths and revealed important weaknesses in building safety regulations across the UK.

This incident underlined a pressing demand for clearer responsibility and improved regulatory standards concerning fire safety, particularly in residential buildings.

The subsequent inquiry into the fire stressed the urgency of reforming fire safety laws to address these systemic failures and prevent similar disasters.

The Act replaces the Fire Safety Order 2005 and indicates responsible persons for residential buildings must manage and reduce the risk of fire for the structure and external walls of the building, including cladding, balconies, and windows, as well as entrance doors to individual flats that open into common areas.

Which Buildings Does the Fire Safety Act 2021 Apply to?

The Fire Safety Act 2021 applies to all buildings containing two or more sets of domestic premises in England and Wales.

This includes residential and mixed-use buildings where residential parts are separate from commercial or other non-residential uses.

Public areas of buildings, such as hallways, stairwells, and lift shafts, as well as the external walls, including cladding, balconies, and windows are covered within the Act, as well as doors between domestic premises and communal areas.

This puts building owners and managers under increased pressure to ensure fire hazards are managed and reduced in these areas via fire compartmentation.

Objectives of the Fire Safety Act 2021

The core purposes of the Fire Safety Act 2021 are to:

• Enhance Clarity: Clarify duties for fire safety in buildings containing two or more sets of household premises.
• Improve Accountability: Introduce stricter accountability measures for building owners/managers to make sure they’re responsible for evaluating fire risks and mitigating them.
• Strengthen Enforcement: Provide local fire and rescue authorities with the authority they need to enforce fire safety regulations and take action against those failing to comply.
• Improve Safety Standards: Promote fire safety standards to protect building occupants and reduce the risk of fire incidents.
• Extend Regulatory Reach: Ensure that all areas of multi-occupied residential buildings, including structure, external walls, and common areas, are inspected and fulfil fire safety standards.

Prepare to meet the demands of the Fire Safety Act 2021 with support from Harris Associates. Assess and improve your fire safety protocols with input from our consultants today.

How to Comply With the Fire Safety Act 2021

As an asset manager, you need to have a comprehensive understanding of what’s needed to comply with the Fire Safety Act 2021.

Fire Risk Assessments

Fire risk assessments must be completed to comply with the Fire Safety Act 2021.

This isn’t a one-off exercise; you need to ensure you complete these at regular intervals, especially if there are structural changes to the building or its use.

You must assess all elements of fire safety, such as escape routes, fire doors, and cladding.

The outcome of each assessment must be recorded and maintained, whilst necessary actions must be taken to reduce the effects of the risks identified.

To ensure this process is carried out properly, consider hiring a fire safety specialist to complete these assessments

Maintaining Safety Measures

As an asset manager, updating fire safety measures is also your responsibility.

For instance, you must ensure that fire detectors and alarms are working at all times and comply with up-to-date safety standards.

Emergency exits need to be kept clear and accessible at all times and be signposted and illuminated to allow for swift evacuation, should the need arise.

Finally, regularly check fire safety equipment such as extinguishers and fire blankets to ensure they’re in place and in full working order.

Update Your Knowledge

The Fire Safety Act 2021 evolves all the time, and you need to keep track of important updates to be sure you’re complying with regulations.

Attending regular training sessions will help you keep up to date with fire safety procedures and legislation. This will help you make any necessary changes to your safety practices to ensure you and your colleagues follow best practices.

A lot of the information you need to know is readily available and can be sourced by getting in touch with the authorities. Local fire and rescue services will be more than happy to provide you with guidance to align your safety measures with local regulations and recommendations.

Fulfil Your Legal and Ethical Obligations

Your responsibilities as an asset manager extend further than safety-related duties. You also need to fulfil legal and ethical obligations to comply. 

The Fire Safety Act 2021 has been introduced to protect occupants within your building. Therefore, be sure you put feedback loops in place to facilitate effective communication so they’re well-informed about the safety measures you’ve put in place.

If residents express safety concerns, be sure to address the issue and put plans in place to rectify the problem, if further action is warranted.

Stay ahead of fire safety regulations with Harris Associates. Our dedicated team offers expert guidance and solutions to ensure your property portfolio complies with the Fire Safety Act 2021. Manage your compliance responsibilities effectively, minimise risks and optimise your safety measures.

Fire Safety Act 2021 Compliance Checklist

There are essential steps to ensure your properties adhere to the latest fire safety standards outlined in the Fire Safety Act 2021.

The following checklist will ensure you don’t miss any of the aforementioned steps and improve the safety of your building: 

Initial Compliance Review

• Action: As soon as you are responsible for managing a new or existing property, review the requirements of the Fire Safety Act.
• Purpose: Ensure initial understanding and planning for compliance.
  
  

Comprehensive Fire Risk Assessment

• Action: Conduct your first comprehensive fire risk assessment within 3 months of taking responsibility.
• Purpose: Identify potential risks and necessary safety measures early in your management tenure.
  
  

Implementation of Safety Measures

• Action: Implement urgent safety measures identified in the initial assessment within 3 months following the assessment.
• Purpose: Address critical safety vulnerabilities to mitigate immediate risks.
  
  

Staff Training Program

• Action: Develop and initiate a staff training program within 6 months of taking responsibility.
• Purpose: Equip staff with the knowledge and skills needed for fire safety and emergency procedures.
  
  

Documentation and Record Keeping

• Action: Set up a complete documentation system within 6 months of taking responsibility.
• Purpose: Keep detailed records of all compliance activities, assessments, and safety measures.
  
  

Routine Fire Safety Reviews and Updates

• Action: Conduct regular fire risk assessments annually.
• Purpose: Keep safety measures updated with any changes in building use, structure, or legislation.
  
  

Engagement with Local Fire and Rescue Services

• Action: Engage with local fire and rescue services for advice and compliance checks bi-annually.
• Purpose: Ensure ongoing compliance with local regulations and benefit from expert advice.
  
  

Continuous Education for Staff and Residents

• Action: Provide ongoing education and updates about fire safety measures, starting immediately after the training program is in place and continuing indefinitely.
• Purpose: Maintain a high level of readiness and ensure all building occupants are informed of their roles in fire safety.
  
  

Legislative Updates

• Action: Monitor and respond to changes in fire safety legislation as they occur.
• Purpose: Ensure continuous compliance with the latest fire safety standards and regulations.
  
  

Looking to access your checklist on the go? Download your personal copy below.

Financial Implications of the Fire Safety Act 2021

As an asset manager, you need to consider the financial costs of implementing and maintaining the required measures of the Fire Safety Act 2021.

Initial Investment in Safety Measures

• Fire Detection and Alarm Systems: The complexity of these systems hinges on the size and complexity of the property. However, costs will predominantly derive from buying the equipment, installing it, and integrating it with your current systems.
• Firefighting Equipment: Investing in fire extinguishers, hoses, sprinklers, and fire blankets is a must. These costs will vary depending on quality and your building's needs.
• Emergency Lighting and Signage: You need to install illuminated lighting to guide building occupants should an emergency occur. Costs include the purchase and installation of compliant signage and lighting systems.
  
  

Costs Associated with Risk Assessments and Professional Services

• Fire Risk Assessments: Conducting these assessments might require hiring external consultants, especially for complex buildings. Costs are recurring, and assessments should be updated regularly.
• Training and Development: Training for staff on fire safety procedures represents an ongoing cost, including initial training and periodic refresher courses.
  
  

Maintenance and Upgrades

• Regular Maintenance: Ongoing expenses include regular checks and maintenance of fire safety equipment, systems, and building structures to comply with safety standards.
• System Upgrades: Over time, updates to safety equipment or systems may be required to meet new regulatory standards or to replace outdated technology.
  
  

Compliance and Penalties

• Legal Compliance: Costs associated with ensuring that all measures meet legal standards, which might include legal consultation fees.
• Potential Fines: Non-compliance can lead to significant financial penalties, which need to be factored into financial planning as a risk.
  
  

Integrating Costs into Operational Budgets

• Capital Expenditure vs. Operational Expenditure: You must decide whether investments should be treated as capital expenditure (CapEx), which includes significant purchases and improvements, or as operational expenditure (OpEx), which covers ongoing costs like maintenance and training.
• Budget Allocation: Allocate specific portions of the budget for fire safety compliance, including a set reserve for upgrades and unexpected needs.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Consider the potential savings in insurance premiums and the avoidance of fines when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of investing in fire safety measures.
• Funding and Financing Options: Explore options for grants, loans, or other financing solutions that might be available for safety upgrades, particularly those that offer favourable terms for compliance-related improvements.
  
  

Strategic Planning

• Long-Term Planning: Incorporate fire safety compliance into the long-term strategic property management planning. This includes forecasting for replacements and upgrades in alignment with evolving regulations.
• Risk Management: Include compliance costs into the broader risk management framework to reduce potential liabilities and improve the safety and value of your property portfolio.

Thoroughly understanding these financial aspects and strategically integrating them into operational budgets will help you comply with the Fire Safety Act 2021 and improve the long-term safety and viability of your property investments.

Fire Safety Act 2023: Important Updates From 2021

It’s important to remember the Fire Safety Act 2021 is always subject to change. As an asset manager, you need to keep informed of new updates to make appropriate amendments to the processes you have in place.

The Fire Safety Act 2023 has important updates to familiarise yourself with to enhance your fire safety management.

Improved Record-Keeping

Under the terms of the Fire Safety Act 2023, responsible persons need to maintain in-depth records of their fire risk assessments. This includes details of assessors and fire safety setups.

This change has been introduced to create an ongoing and accessible record throughout the building's lifespan.

Increased Cooperation and Coordination

The Fire Safety Act 2023 emphasises the need for better cooperation and coordination between responsible persons and other stakeholders (e.g. accountable persons). This is particularly applicable in multi-occupied residential buildings.

Appropriate fire safety information and contact details to improve collective safety efforts must be shared.

Stricter Enforcement and Compliance

It’s more straightforward for enforcement authorities to take action against property owners who don’t comply with the terms of the Fire Safety Act 2023. 

Fines have been increased, and there are more severe penalties for serious breaches, such as misleading practices or failure to comply with specific fire inspector requests.

Provision of Information to Residents

Responsible persons need to make sure residents are provided with fire safety information that’s understandable. This change aims to increase transparency and improve safety awareness among building occupants.

Guidance and Support Tools

Alongside regulatory changes, new guidance and support tools have been published to assist responsible persons in understanding and fulfilling their enhanced responsibilities under the updated fire safety laws.

Improve Fire Safety Act 2021/2023 Compliance With Harris Associates

Here at Harris Associates, we’re committed to helping asset managers improve fire safety and protect themselves and others.

Get expert guidance on regulatory compliance outlined in the Fire Safety Act 2021, as well as updates included in the Fire Safety Act 2023.