Knowing what fire safety signs to install in your building isn't quite as straightforward as you think. So how do you get it right? There are various fire safety signage regulations, which vary from building to building, and it depends on the layout, means of escape and the type of fire precautions and policies you have in your building. The easiest way to identify fire safety signage requirements in your...
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It is a landmark moment for Building Safety as the Government launches its new 'Making Buildings Safer Campaign' and high-rise building registration The safety of buildings has always been a matter of critical importance. Over the years, numerous incidents have highlighted the need for improved building safety standards. The Grenfell Tower tragedy, which claimed 72 lives in 2017, was a stark reminder of the risks that exist in buildings that...
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The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 came into force on 23rd January 2023 for all multi-occupied residential buildings (with two or more sets of domestic premises). The regulations are intended to improve fire safety in these buildings and to reduce the risk of fire and injury to occupants. Are you affected? The new regulations affect most residential buildings in England, introducing new legal requirements which can be enforced if not complied with....
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BSI launch BS 8644-1:2022 - Digital management of fire safety information – Design, construction, handover, asset management and emergency response BS 8644-1:2022 will help to ensure that all fire safety data is captured and stored accurately, consistently and in a timely manner. Digital technologies are increasingly being used to capture, store and share information about fire safety in buildings. In many cases, this is to improve the quality, accuracy and consistency of...
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Today, the Building Safety Bill received Royal Assent. The Bill has completed all the parliamentary stages in both Houses and now becomes an Act of Parliament. An important milestone, paving the way to build a more rigorous and robust regulatory regime for high-rise buildings in England, the Building Safety Bill is now in effect - although many of the new Act’s provisions are not expected to come into force for...
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The Fire Safety Act 2021 comes into force in Wales today (Friday 1st October 2021) The new legislation sees changes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, with responsibility for compliance falling on the ‘responsible person’ as outlined in the order. This could be an employer, freeholder, management company or managing agent depending on local arrangements. The Fire Safety Order was originally designed to apply to workplaces, as a...
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The Home Office has announced new regulations under the Fire Safety Order to strengthen and guarantee buildings and people’s safety. Every construction will be required to have a well-recorded fire risk assessment and anybody caught breaching the fire safety regulations will be subject to limitless fines. Roy Wilsher, National Fire Chiefs Council Chair, said: “Ultimately, we want to see safer buildings for residents and are committed to working constructively with...
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Recently in our Instagram Stories we talked about ‘Stay-Put Policies’ for apartment blocks and asked whether you thought they were safe. The overriding response was the majority think Stay-Put is unsafe. But is that correct? Stay-put policies are designed to be safer than a normal simultaneous evacuation policy. However, more and more landlords are opting to go for simultaneous (one out, all out) in light of the events at...
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It’s easy to get confused between the different types of plans, procedures, assessments and documents you need for your building to keep occupants safe. Fire Evacuation Plans, Fire Strategy Plans, Fire Alarm Zone Plans, Emergency Procedures – what’s the difference and do I need them all? If you are responsible for a workplace or a building, you are responsible for adopting the right procedures and behaviours when it comes to...
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On Thursday 19th March the Government proposed a new Fire Safety Bill to improve fire safety in buildings in England and Wales, placing a legal requirement on residential building owners to inspect cladding and fire doors. The bill will amend the Fire Safety Order 2005 to clarify that the responsible person or duty-holder for multi-occupied, residential buildings must manage and reduce the risk for fire for: The structure and external walls...
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