FIRE SAFETY CONSULTATION OUTCOME PUBLISHED

Between July to October 2020 the government ran a consultation looking at proposals to strengthen the Fire Safety Order, implement Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations and strengthen the regulatory framework for how building control bodies consult with Fire and Rescue Authorities. The outcome of this consultation and the plans for the next steps the government intends to take have now been published.

There are several areas that require further work however a number of specific changes are planned, including

• Requiring responsible persons to record their completed fire risk assessment and their contact information including a UK based address.
• Requiring responsible persons in England and Wales to record the name of any individual or organisation engaged by them to undertake any or all of the fire risk assessment and to ensure  that only competent persons are appointed.
• Requiring responsible persons to share relevant fire safety information.
• Strengthening the provision of statutory guidance

These will be achieved in a number of ways, including:

• legislating through the Building Safety Bill to strengthen the Fire Safety Order in a number of key areas
• delivering new regulations through Article 24 of the Fire Safety Order in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 Report recommendations
• implementing changes to improve engagement between building control bodies and fire and rescue services

Full details of the government’s response to the consultation can be found on the Gov.UK website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fire-safety

Please speak to your normal PIB Risk Management contact or get in touch using [email protected]  if you have any questions or would like assistance with carrying out fire risk assessments for your workplace.