The Fire Safety Act 2021  

October 2023

The Fire Safety Act 2021 is an act of Parliament that received Royal Assent on the 26th of April 2021. The act sets out to improve fire safety in buildings and applies to England and Wales.

The key points of the act are as follows:

• It clarifies the scope of the Fire Safety Order 2005, making clear that it applies to the structure, external walls (including cladding and balconies), and individual flat entrance doors between domestic premises and the common parts of a multi-occupied residential building.
• It requires the Responsible Person to carry out a fire risk assessment that takes into account the new requirements set out in the act and to review and update the assessment as necessary.
• It places a legal responsibility on the Responsible Person to take steps to reduce or eliminate the risks identified in the fire risk assessment.
• It allows the Fire and Rescue Service to enforce against non–compliance in relation to the external walls and the individual doors opening onto the common parts of the premises.

Who Does the Fire Safety Act 2021 Apply To?

The Fire Safety Act 2021 applies to England and Wales. The act applies to all multi-occupied residential buildings and is not dependent on the height of the building. If you are a Responsible Person for a building to which the act applies, you must take steps to ensure that the building complies with the requirements of the act.

Conclusion

The Fire Safety Act 2021 makes clear that the Fire Safety Order applies to the structure, external walls (including cladding and balconies), and individual flat entrance doors between domestic premises and the common parts of a multi-occupied residential building.

If you are a Responsible Person for a building to which the act applies, you must take steps to ensure that the building complies with the requirements of the act, including carrying out a fire risk assessment and taking steps to reduce or eliminate the risks identified in the assessment so far as is reasonably practicable.

Alban Safety offers a range of services that include external wall advice, fire door inspections and fire risk assessments to help you stay compliant with the Fire Safety Act. 

For further advice, please get in touch today.