Frequently Asked Questions

The regulations increase the duties imposed on Responsible Persons (RPs) by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (Fire Safety Order) and represent the practical implementation of the majority of the recommendations made to government in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report.  

They make it a requirement in law for responsible persons of high-rise blocks of flats to provide information to fire and rescue services to assist them in planning for, and responding to, an incident in their building.   The regulations also require RPs of multi-occupied residential buildings, which are high-rise buildings, as well as those above 11 metres in height, to provide additional safety measures.  

The regulations require RPs of all multi-occupied residential buildings to provide residents with fire safety instructions and information on the importance of fire doors. The regulations apply to existing buildings, and requirements for new buildings may be different.  

On 23 January 2023.

Yes, these regulations are only applicable to England.  

The Regulations require Responsible Persons (RPs) of multi-occupied residential buildings to take specific actions, depending on the height of the building:  

• some provisions apply regardless of height
• more are needed once a building reaches 11 metres
• further requirements apply to buildings of 18 metres (or 7 storeys) or more.

The Regulations set out requirements for RPs of all multi-occupied residential buildings, with two or more sets of domestic premises:  

• The RP must provide fire safety information to their residents on how to report a fire and what a resident must do once a fire has occurred.
• The RP must provide residents with information relating to the importance of fire doors

The Regulations set out additional requirements for RPs of multi-occupied residential buildings of over 11 metres in height:   

• Fire door checks: the RP should carry out annual checks of flat entrance doors. They must also undertake quarterly checks of all fire doors in the common parts.

The requirements are greatest for high-rise residential buildings (at least 18m or 7 storeys in height):    

• Secure Information Boxes: the RP must install and maintain a secure information box in their building. This box must contain the name and contact details of the RP and hard copies of the building and floor plans.
• External Wall Systems: the RP must prepare a record of the design of the external walls of the building including the materials used in their construction. The record must include information on the level of fire risk associated with the externals and any mitigating steps that have been taken. The RP is required to electronically share a copy of this record with HIWFRS.
• Building Plans: the RP must prepare up-to-date floor plans, alongside a single page building plan which identifies key firefighting equipment. The RP is required to electronically share copies of the plans with HIWFRS as well as provide paper copies of the plans within the premises’ secure information box.
• Lifts and other Key Fire-Fighting Equipment: the RP must undertake routine monthly checks of lifts intended for use by firefighters, evacuation lifts, and other key pieces of firefighting equipment.  Any faults identified with equipment that cannot be rectified within 24 hours should be reported to HIWFRS via electronic means.
• Wayfinding Signage: the RP must install floor identification signs and flat indicator signs. The signage is intended to assist responding firefighters and should be visible in low light or smoky conditions.

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 can be found on the UK Government website.