Landlord Legislation: Fire Safety Guide

After the Grenfell tragedy, the UK government has initiated several measures to improve fire safety, especially in rented homes. Landlords have a moral as well as legal responsibility, to ensure the protection of their tenants from fire hazards.

Fire doors and fire door safety, are some of the crucial aspects the government has considered, since the Fire Safety Act achieved Royal Assent on the 29th of April 2021. Several control measures considered practical for monitoring fire doors have been introduced since then. At present, The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 are in effect. These regulations have introduced sweeping changes in the area of fire safety, in terms of new duties for building owners and managers. They are expected to provide information about fire safety, know what to do when an accident involving fire occurs and ensure the protocols are followed.

Fire Safety Instruction Regulation 9

Fire Safety Instruction Regulation 9

Regulation 9 demands that this information must be displayed in communal areas prominently. It must also clearly establish

• How to evacuate a building
• How to report an event to the rescue services
• Detailed information about dedicated escape routes and safety guidelines

The property’s responsible persons must provide copies of these instructions to

• All existing residents within 12 months of the implementation of the regulation
• All new residents, when they start their tenancy

It’s also important to remain current with the updates to the Regulatory Reform Order.

Fire Door Information Regulation 10

Fire Door Information Regulation 10

According to the new regulations, responsible persons must provide details about the property’s fire doors (individual and communal) to their tenants. The details must include

• Instructions to keep all fire doors closed when not in use
• Details about self-closing devices
• Information about rules that prevent tampering with these devices
• Instructions about reporting fault or damages to fire doors without fail

This information should also be issued annually, along with the fire safety information, so that all residents know the rules and precautions and are educated on the importance of fire safety.

New Fire Door Regulations For Landlords

New Fire Door Regulations For Landlords

The new rules in The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, also expect landlords to maintain their building's fire doors. The responsible person of the property must run annual checks of the fire door of individual premises and keep a record of the inspection and the steps taken to correct the mistakes if any. They must also check fire doors within communal areas every three months. These checks are performed to ensure the fire door operates correctly and smoothly. Any defects, such as gaps around the door frame, must be addressed. The seals, the hinges, and the door closer must be checked. They must also ensure the door closes around the edge perfectly without leaving gaps.

The New Regulations Are Strict On Landlords

The New Regulations Are Strict On Landlords

The unfortunate events of Grenfell, have brought the topic of fire safety under the spotlight. There is a deeper emphasis on the role of responsible parties. A landlord with people under their care must take every possible step to ensure the building is safe and reliable.

Importance of Fire Door Maintenance and Inspections

Under the new regulations, landlords are required to perform regular checks on fire doors to ensure they are functioning correctly. This includes inspecting individual fire doors annually and communal doors every three months. Any defects, such as gaps in the door frame or faulty seals, must be addressed immediately. These measures ensure fire doors provide the protection they are designed for, preventing the spread of fire in the event of an emergency.