From 1st October 2023, all buildings regulated by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) will need to comply with new fire safety guidelines. These guidelines are part of Phase 3 of the Home Office's fire safety reform program, aimed at strengthening fire safety in all FSO-regulated premises.
The new regulations aim to enhance cooperation and coordination between Responsible Persons (RPs), impose stricter requirements on the recording and sharing of fire safety information, facilitate enforcement authorities to take action against non-compliance, and ensure that residents have access to comprehensive information on fire safety in their building.
The previous short guide to making your premises safe from fire has been replaced by three new fire safety guides for small non-domestic premises, small blocks of flats, and small sleeping accommodation. An updated fire risk assessment checklist has also been published to assist Responsible Persons in comprehending and adhering to the new requirements.
While there is currently no obligation for Responsible Persons (RPs) to verify the competence of anyone appointed to conduct a fire risk assessment, the government is collaborating with the fire safety industry to develop a robust roll-out plan and more information on this will be provided in the upcoming months.
See the original news article from the Home Office here: SOURCE
