High rise residential buildings target of new fire safety regulations

Norfolk landlords and responsible persons for tall buildings are being urged to learn and follow the new fire safety regulations that have come into force this month.

The new fire safety regulations took effect across England on 23 January 2023, making it a legal requirement for Responsible Persons of high-rise residential buildings to provide information to their local fire services to help plan for and respond to fires in the building.

Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service is urging Responsible Persons for any multi-occupancy residential buildings to ensure they and their buildings comply with the new regulations.

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 (the Regulations) were introduced to meet the Grenfell Tower Inquiry's Phase 1 recommendations. The Inquiry was established following the devastating Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.  

Group manager for fire protection Jonathan Wilby said: "The new Fire Safety Regulations do place significant new legal requirements on Responsible Persons for multi-occupied residential buildings, but their cooperation is vital to help us plan and be ready to respond to fires in their properties.

"It's absolutely crucial that responsible persons are ready and able to comply with these changes. Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service is here to support them, and I'd invite anyone responsible for a multi-occupancy building in Norfolk to visit our dedicated website page for more information. We'll also be contacting many owners over the coming months to talk to them about what the new regulations mean for them."

The regulations require Responsible Persons of high-rise residential buildings to provide information on their building to the Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service from 23 January 2023, which can be done via the Norfolk County Council website. 

Provide information on your high-rise buildingProvide information on your high-rise building

The information to be shared includes details of the construction of the external walls, floor and buildings plans, and information on known faults with key firefighting equipment. This information must be shared via electronic means.

Under the new regulations, a high-rise residential building is defined as a building containing two or more sets of domestic premises that is at least 18 meters tall, or has at least seven storeys.