Background
On January 23 2023, the new Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 come into force under Article 24 of the Fire Safety Order. They were introduced as an important step towards implementing the recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. This law imposes new requirements on the persons responsible for fire safety in multi-occupied residential properties.
While this new legislation has been known about for some time, and like any changes, it may present challenges for organisations that need to get ready and manage the transition.
It is important to know about the changes to the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 because they outline the requirements for fire safety in buildings and other premises in England. These regulations are designed to protect people from the risks of fire and to ensure that buildings and other premises are designed, constructed, and maintained in a way that minimises the risk of fire and the spread of fire.
If you are responsible for a building or other premises, it is important to be aware of the changes to the regulations in order to ensure that you are complying with the latest fire safety requirements. This could include conducting fire risk assessments, maintaining fire safety equipment, and providing fire safety information to employees and occupants of the building.
Ignoring the changes to the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 could potentially put lives at risk and result in legal consequences for those responsible. It is, therefore, essential to stay up to date with these regulations and take the necessary steps to ensure fire safety in your building or premises.
Have you signed up for our event In conversation with Tom Stallard - Head of Fire Services, held on January 18 at 12 noon. Tom will discuss the changes to the new Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and the implications for your business. Register here.
Why is it important to review your fire strategy now?
This is also a great time to remind you why reviewing your fire safety strategy is important. The new Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 may (will) have introduced changes affecting your current fire safety approach. By reviewing your strategy, you can ensure that your fire safety measures are up to date and in compliance with the new regulations.
This will help protect your building and its occupants from the risks of fire and may also help you avoid fines or other penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, regularly reviewing your fire safety strategy can help you identify any weaknesses or areas for improvement, allowing you to make necessary changes to better protect your building and its occupants.
With this in mind, we want to remind you of ten reasons your business needs a fire strategy (we are sure you have one) and share the first steps to reviewing your strategy. They seem obvious, but it’s always good to have a gentle reminder.
Ten reasons why you need a fire strategy
1. Protects employees
A fire strategy helps ensure your employees’ safety by providing clear guidelines for evacuating the building in the event of a fire.
2. Protects customers
A fire strategy also helps to protect your customers by ensuring that they are safely evacuated in the event of a fire.
3. Protects your business
A fire strategy helps to protect your business by minimising the risk of fire and the damage it can cause.
4. Reduces liability
Having a fire strategy in place can help reduce your liability in the event of a fire, as it shows that you have taken steps to mitigate the fire risk and protect your employees and customers.
5. Improves safety culture
Implementing a fire strategy can help improve your business’s overall safety culture, as it shows that you are committed to the safety and well-being of your employees and customers.
6. Meets legal requirements
Many businesses are required by law to have a fire strategy in place, and failure to do so can result in fines or legal action.
7. Protects your reputation
In the event of a fire, a well-developed fire strategy can help to protect your reputation by demonstrating that you have taken steps to prevent fires and ensure the safety of your employees and customers.
8. Reduces insurance costs
Having a fire strategy in place may help reduce your insurance costs, as it shows that you have taken steps to minimise the risk of fire and protect your business.
9. Increases efficiency
A well-developed fire strategy can help increase your business’s efficiency, as it provides clear guidelines for employees to follow in the event of a fire and helps to minimise disruption.
10. Improves overall business continuity
By minimising the risk of fire and the damage, it can cause, a fire strategy helps improve your business’s overall continuity and reduce the likelihood of costly disruptions.
First steps to reviewing your fire strategy
Here are some steps you can take to review your fire safety strategy in light of the new Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022:
1. Familiarise yourself with the new regulations
It is important to understand the specific requirements and changes introduced by the new regulations. You can do this by reading the regulations or consulting with Ligtas. Register for In conversation with Tom Stallard - Head of Fire Services, held on January 18 at 12 noon. Tom will discuss the changes to the new Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and the implications for your business.
2. Assess your current fire safety measures
Take an inventory of the fire safety measures that are currently in place in your building. This might include fire alarms, sprinkler systems, fire doors, and emergency lighting, among others. 2. Read 5 Key Steps In The Safety Case Process
3. Compare your current measures to the new regulations
Compare your current fire safety measures to the requirements outlined in the new regulations. Make a list of any areas where you are not in compliance and identify any gaps in your current approach to fire safety.
4. Develop a plan to address any non-compliances or gaps
Once you have identified any non-compliances or gaps in your fire safety strategy, develop a plan to address them. This may involve making changes to your current fire safety measures, implementing new measures, or providing additional training to building occupants. Keep the ten steps above in mind as you do this…
5. Review and update your emergency evacuation plan
Make sure that your emergency evacuation plan is up to date and in compliance with the new regulations. This may involve reviewing and updating your emergency procedures, as well as conducting drills to ensure that all building occupants are familiar with the plan.
6. Review and update any fire safety documentation
Make sure that any fire safety documentation, such as risk assessments and fire safety certificates, is up to date and in compliance with the new regulations.
As we say at Ligtas, prevention is better than cure. Therefore, it is always better to take steps to prevent a problem from occurring than trying to fix it once it has already happened, which can be costly and put your business at risk (see the ten reasons).
Our goal is not to tick boxes to make your life easier. Instead, we want to support you with the right steps which can be taken now to prevent problems from occurring. So we will say it again – by working with Ligtas, we can often help you to save time, money, and resources and avoid the negative consequences that can result from any problems not addressed.
We look forward to seeing you on the 18th. In the meantime, you may have questions regarding the new fire safety regulations. Please send us your questions to enquiries@ligtas.co.uk. Use Questions for Tom as your email subject.
