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Fire Safety in Purpose Built Blocks of Flats

Posted on 7 Mar 2024

Responsibilities

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 sets out how fire risks should be managed. The Order specifies that a “responsible person” for each premise must conduct a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) and decide how any risks should be addressed.

In council-owned purpose built blocks of flats, we will carry out FRAs for the communal areas of the building, and address any issues highlighted. We may also ask you to cooperate with us in any safety measures we take as a result of FRAs.

As a leaseholder, you have some responsibilities for fire safety:

  • The Building Regulations, part B, specify fire safety standards for building work. If you carry out alteration or building work within your home, you should make sure that it meets the appropriate Building Regulations
  • Your lease may state that you must not do anything that increases the fire risk to your flat or building, and that you must comply with any reasonable requests we make.

If you are sub-letting your property to tenants, there are some additional responsibilities connected to fire safety:

  • The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations (England) 2015 specify that landlords should have at least one smoke alarm on every storey of their rental property which is used as living accommodation.
  • The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 require that yearly safety checks are carried out on all gas appliances and flues by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
  • The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 places an obligation on landlords to ensure that electrical appliances and systems supplied by them are safe.