Fire Safety Act & Regulations
The Fire Safety Act
The Fire Safety Act of 2023 mandates fire door inspections as part of building fire risk assessments, closing a loophole in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The Responsible Person must commission these assessments in England and Wales. The Fire Safety Regulations 2022 require quarterly checks of fire doors in common areas and annual inspections of flat entrance doors in multi-occupied residential buildings over 11 meters high in England. Responsible Persons must make "best endeavours" to organize these checks, which may involve coordinating with residents to agree on inspection dates and ensuring compliance with the new regulations aimed at enhancing fire safety in residential buildings.
What Are the Legal Implications?
Regulations are there for a reason. Fire doors play an integral role in a building’s fire protection system, so it’s critical that they’re checked regularly to ensure they are in working order.
By ignoring the regulations, you’re putting lives at risk. Failing to comply could also lead to hefty fines and prison sentences, impacting your reputation, profits, and the livelihoods of those who work for you. It’s vital therefore that the laws and regulations are understood and respected.
Who Should Carry Out the Fire Door Inspection?
Regulation 10 Inspections can be carried out by the Responsible Person. However, any thorough fire door inspections should only be carried out by a fully trained and qualified fire door inspector (competent person). They must be completed by a certified fire safety technician, who is able to stringently assess each of the key components for damage, faults, or alterations.