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FIRE SAFETY ACT
The Fire Safety Act, enforced in 2023, mandates fire door inspections as part of building fire risk assessments, closing a Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 loophole. The Responsible Person must commission these assessments in England and Wales.
REGULATION 10
The Fire Safety Regulations 2022, effective from January 23, 2023, require quarterly checks of fire doors in common areas and annual inspections of flat entrance doors in multi-occupied residential buildings over 11 meters high in England. Responsible persons must make “best endeavours” to organise these checks, which entails determining the optimal method to engage residents and gain access for inspections. This may involve coordinating with residents to agree on inspection dates, ensuring compliance with the new regulations aimed at enhancing fire safety in residential buildings.
In cases of access issues, residents should be encouraged to allow checks. If denied, responsible persons must document attempts and evidence of resident engagement to avoid fines and prosecutions.
What Are the Legal Implications?
Regulations are there for a reason. Fire doors play an integral role in a building’s fire protection system, so it’s critical that they’re checked regularly to ensure they are in working order.
By ignoring the regulations, you’re putting lives at risk. Failing to comply could also lead to hefty fines and prison sentences, impacting your reputation, profits, and the livelihoods of those who work for you. It’s vital therefore that the laws and regulations are understood and respected.
Who Should Carry Out the Fire Door Inspection?
Well, Regulation 10 Inspections can be carried out by the responsible person. However, any thorough fire door inspections should only be carried out by a fully trained and qualified fire door inspector (competent person). They must be completed by a certified fire safety technician, who is able to stringently assess each of the key components for damage, faults, or alterations.
