If you own or manage a high-rise residential building, you have a legal duty   to ensure the fire safety of the residents within that building.

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 set out legal duties for people responsible for high-rise buildings. These rules are designed to make sure vital fire safety information is available to fire and rescue services in the event of an emergency , making buildings  safer for everyone.

We’re here to help you understand what you need to do in a clear and practical way.

What is a high-rise residential building?

Your building is considered high-rise if it has:

  • Two or more domestic dwellings (flats or apartments)
  • At least 18 metres in height, or
  • At least 7 storeys

Why these regulations matter

These regulations are in place to help:

  • Keep residents safer in the event of a fire
  • Make sure emergency services have the right information
  • Improve fire safety management in your building
  • Ensure fire doors and key safety features are properly maintained
  • Meet your legal responsibilities under UK fire safety law

They form part of the wider fire safety changes introduced following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations.

Access the Fire doors guide for responsible persons: how to conduct routine checks and provide information to residents.

Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 - responsible person

If you are the responsible person for a high-rise building, you may need to provide fire safety information to the fire and rescue service, including:

Floor Plans and Building Plans

You need to make sure up-to-date drawings of your building are available.

External Wall Information

You must provide details about your building’s external wall design, materials, and fire risk.

Faults or Repairs

You need to report any safety-related faults that could affect residents or firefighters, and confirm when they are fixed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the regulations do

The regulations increase your duties as a Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. They bring into law many recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report.

They require you to provide fire and rescue services with key information about your building so we can plan and respond effectively in an emergency.

They also introduce additional fire safety duties for buildings over 11 metres, and further requirements for high-rise buildings over 18 metres.

Do these regulations only apply in England?

Yes – these regulations only apply in England.

What do the regulations require you to do?

Your responsibilities depend on the height of your building:

All multi-occupied residential buildings must:

  • Provide residents with clear fire safety instructions
  • Explain how to report a fire
  • Tell residents what to do if a fire occurs
  • Share information about the importance of fire doors

If your building is over 11 metres, you must also:

  • Carry out annual checks of flat entrance doors
  • Carry out quarterly checks of fire doors in communal areas

If your building is 18 metres or more (or 7 storeys+), you must also:

  • Install and maintain a secure information box in the building
  • Keep and provide up-to-date building and floor plans
  • Maintain records of external wall design and fire risk
  • Carry out monthly checks of lifts and fire-fighting equipment
  • Report serious faults that cannot be fixed within 24 hours

Install clear wayfinding signage for firefighters

Who is classed as the Responsible Person?

You are classed as the Responsible Person if you have control over fire safety in the building.

This usually means:

  • You are the building owner or landlord
  • You are a managing agent or management company
  • Or you are responsible for maintaining or controlling parts of the building (including communal areas)

If more than one organisation has control, responsibility may be shared.

Where can I find more information?

You can view the full Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 on the UK Government website for detailed legal guidance.

Your responsibility matters

If you manage a high-rise building, these responsibilities are not optional they are a legal duty. They are also there to help you protect your residents and support emergency services when it matters most.

If you’re ever unsure about your responsibilities, it’s always best to check early or seek professional advice.

You may also be interested in

Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (RPEEPs)

Learn More

Responsible person (RPEEPs)

Learn More

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