Fire safety responsible persons – new legal duties
Nicky Slavid
As of October 1, 2023, new legal duties for Fire Safety Responsible Persons were introduced in the United Kingdom. These changes, introduced through Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, aim to enhance fire safety measures.
Will this affect my business?
The changes applies to non-domestic and multi-occupied residential buildings. It will have an impact on all food businesses e.g. hotels, restaurants, leisure facilities, shops, factories.
What are the main changes?
The legislation affects the role of the Fire Safety Responsible Person who will have several new duties including responsibilities relating to:
- recording Fire Risk Assessments and other information
- co-operating and co-ordinating with other Responsible Persons
- providing information to new Responsible Persons
How do I know if I am a Fire Safety Responsible Person?
You are a Responsible Person if you are an employer, have control of the premises, or are the owner of a premises.
What do I need to ensure is in place?
- A fire risk assessment recorded in full (previously only specific information was required to be recorded)
- A record of your fire safety arrangements (to demonstrate how fire safety is managed in your premises)
- A record of the identity of the individual (their name) and/or (if applicable) the name of the organisation engaged by them to undertake/review any fire risk assessments.
How must Fire Safety Responsible Persons communicate with others?
- They must take reasonably practicable steps to identify other Responsible Persons who have duties in respect of the same premises.
- They must make contact and share a record of their contact information with other Responsible Persons for the building.
- Departing Responsible Persons must share all relevant fire safety information with incoming Responsible Persons.
What other legal requirements are coming into force?
There will be a requirement brought into force that those completing or reviewing fire risk assessments must be proven to be competent. Further guidance is expected on exactly how this can be ascertained.
How can Safer Food Scores help?
- We can arrange for one of our highly qualified and experienced fire risk assessors to carry out or review, and record your fire risk assessments.
- Our health and safety management systems include comprehensive fire safety procedures to help you demonstrate how fire safety is managed in your premises.
- We can provide face-to-face and e-learning suitable for your fire marshals and other team members.
See our Fire risk assessment companies and software FAQ for more information.
Any guidance given in our articles is not official and Safer Food Scores can take no responsibility if the information is used to form part of any legal or regulatory compliance for your business. However, please do get in touch if you are interested in our support services and would like to benefit from official guidance relating to your particular circumstances, email [javascript protected email address]
