It has been reported by the Home Office that new measures are on the horizon to strengthen fire safety in HMOs and multi-tenancy buildings.
The new measures, announced as part of the government's response to the Fire Safety Consultation, will come into force as part of the legislation in the Building Safety Bill in 2022.
Although the exact details of these measures have not yet been published, they will amend the Fire Safety Order and will include a necessity for fire risk assessments to be documented for each building.
Fire Minister, Lord Greenhalgh said: “Everyone should be safe in the buildings where they live, stay or work. Our new measures will improve fire safety and help save lives, but will also take firm action against those who fail in their duty to keep people safe.”
According to the government these new measures will:
- improve the quality of fire risk assessments and competence of those who complete them;
- ensure vital fire safety information is preserved over the lifespan of all regulated buildings;
- improve cooperation and coordination amongst people responsible for fire safety and making it easier to identify who they are;
- strengthen enforcement action, with anyone impersonating or obstructing a fire inspector facing unlimited fines;
- strengthen guidance issued under the Fire Safety Order so that failure to follow it may be considered in court proceedings as evidence of a breach or of compliance;
- improve the engagement between Building Control Bodies and Fire Authorities in reviewing plans for building work;
- require all new flats above 11 meters tall to install premises information boxes.
In light of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, any improvements to Building Safety Bill can only be a step in the right direction.
Here at Redbrick Properties, we will endeavor to keep you updated with any changes to these planned measures should they occur, in due course.
Source: Letting Agent Today