Fire Safety For 2024

In buildings of multiple occupation and all public buildings, fire safety is of paramount importance. Following changes to the mandatory and legal requirements for fire safety that came into force in January 2023, here are some aspects of fire safety of which you should be aware:

Fire Safety Regulations

The fire safety regulations are set out in the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 act. These came into force following high profile fire outbreak tragedies and seek to enforce and improve fire safety in substantial residential buildings – the regulations have upgraded the duties of the nominated responsible person for these buildings aimed at improving the safety of residents and providing vital information to fire and rescue services that may attend the building in the event of a fire outbreak.

Fire Risk Assessments

The starting point for fire safety in any building or environment. Fire risks are ever changing and so it is important to regularly review and perform fire risk assessments.

The fire safety logbook must be constantly updated with any changes within the physical environment of a building – any significant update or change made in a building MUST be identified and formally recorded during a fire risk assessment.

This applies not only to physical changes to the building, but change of use for certain areas or rooms, or the storage of extra or different materials, and even down to aspects such as staff number changes which may result in new responsibilities for staff with regards to safety.

Responsible Person

The nominated ‘responsible person’ for a buildings fire safety must ensure that there are enough staff properly trained to assist in onsite fire safety, so needs to be aware of staff absences and changes in personnel within the building. The responsible person also needs to ensure that all fire safety equipment is in place and fully efficient, and that staff are properly trained in the correct use of the equipment.

Fire Safety Equipment

A building should be fully equipped with all the necessary fire safety items that are accessible to people in the event of a fire outbreak.

This equipment includes fire extinguishers and ensuring that the appropriate form of fire extinguishers are on site, as different fire extinguishers are required for different forms of fire outbreak! It is vital that these fire extinguishers are stored in the correct locations and environments – they should be fully secured and protected from any harsh weather elements.

This equipment should be serviced and tested by trained fire engineers at least once a year – this fire extinguisher servicing is compulsory and needs to confirm that all the equipment is in good working order, the correct type, and is located appropriately in the building.

Fire extinguishers should have gauge indicator dots which display when they were last serviced, and service labels should be present confirming details of the service. All extinguishers should also be fitted with anti-tamper seals to prevent any accidental discharge or tampering with the unit. There should also be monthly checks of any lifts in the building and fire alarm systems testing.

Fire Safety Signage

Fire safety signage is an important requirement – there should be regular checks performed that all the relevant signage is displayed in the appropriate locations and is never obscured by items placed in front of them.

Fire safety signage is not just a recommendation but a legal requirement – it is vital for people to be able to identify and follow in the event of a fire outbreak. The signage includes instructions and directions to nominated escape routes for the safe evacuation of the building when necessary, so at all times MUST be visible.

Regular fire drills should be conducted to familiarise the building occupants and users with the signage, the escape routes and the process of an emergency evacuation of the building.

Secure Information Box

In certain environments – for example, high-rise residential buildings – the responsible person must also ensure that a secure information box is installed and maintained inside or outside the building in an accessible location. This box must be accessible to local fire and authority persons and contain the name, address, and all contact details of the building’s responsible person, along with a record of the building’s design and the materials used in the construction of the building along with the level of risk these materials carry. The box should also contain plans for each floor of the building detailing access points and stairways.

Common Fire Hazards

Both in the home and the workplace you should always be aware of any potential fire hazards – poorly maintained wiring and all electrical equipment are a common threat, whilst certain rooms or areas pose more fire risk than others. Kitchens with ovens, hobs and electrical equipment are potential areas in all environments, whilst you should always be aware of the dangers of smoking indoors and the potential for a fire outbreak with the use of candles.

You should also always be aware of the potential dangers of allowing ‘clutter’ to gather that could catch alight and create a fire outbreak.