Important Changes to Fire Safety Legislation
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service would like to inform businesses of upcoming changes to fire safety legislation expected to come into effect on the 01 October 2023.
The Building Safety Act 2022 will amend the Fire Safety Order 2005.
This will mean that many businesses and building owners need to check if and how this affects them to ensure they are complying with the regulations. The main changes are:
- All businesses will need to record a fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements in full – regardless of the number of employees, and size or type of business.
- There are increased requirements for cooperation and coordination between Responsible Persons in multi occupied buildings or those where the occupier and owner are not the same person.
- In residential buildings with two or more domestic premises residents must be provided with information on the risks from fire and the fire safety measures provided to keep them safe.
Gavin Tomlinson, National Fire Chiefs Council, Protection and Business Safety Committee Chair said “Fire and rescue services are committed to helping all types of businesses reduce the risk of fire in the workplace and be compliant with fire safety law. We don’t expect businesses to be experts that’s’ why we are here to provide help and advice”.
These changes give additional duties to responsible persons of all non-domestic premises, such as where people work, visit or stay, including workplaces, and the non-domestic parts of multi-occupied residential buildings (e.g. communal corridors, stairways, plant rooms).
The letter LFRS – BSA 2022 Section 156 Changes to the Fire Safety Order 2005 gives information on these changes and useful web links to Government Guidance on these changes including Fire Safety Guidance, Guidance on Choosing a Suitable Fire Risk Assessor and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s Business Safety page.
Please share this information with other Responsible Persons and Stakeholders.
If you would like Fire Safety advice, please fill in the details on the form at https://www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk/safety/business-safety/commercial-building-safety-concerns-and-fire-safety-advice/
Tourism and Accommodation Providers
Visit England have further sector information for Tourism and Accommodation operators: updated fire safety guidance. A Fire Risk Assessment Form for this sector is also available from the VisitEngland Business Advice Hub which is fully compliant with the new regulations to make it easier for you to complete your fire risk assessment as soon as possible.
