Safety Act 2021 Receives Royal

The Fire Safety Bill was passed by the House of Lords on 29 April 2021, naming it the “fire safety act 2021“. While its date of coming into force is yet to be confirmed, the Bill aims to clarify responsibilities for managing fire risks in multi-occupied residential buildings. The bill’s main goal is to ensure greater accountability for fire safety and structural integrity. It includes stricter regulations for high-risk buildings, such as those 18 metres or more above ground level or more than six storeys.

The new legislation has many provisions aimed at increasing building safety standards. Among these are the appointing of an Accountable Person. The Accountable Person has many obligations in managing building safety risks, and they must comply with the requirements of the Act. Generally, an Accountable Person is a management company or a freeholder. It is the responsibility of the responsible person to comply with the Fire Safety Act.

The Fire Safety Act will apply to all domestic and residential buildings of any height. It requires a responsible person to take action to eliminate or reduce the risk. The responsible person must ensure that the building has fire-fighting equipment, fire alarms, and a well-lit fire escape route. The Fire Service can enforce non-compliance if necessary. In some cases, the Act will be amended.

The Fire Safety Act 2021 Receives Royal Assent

Under the Act, a responsible person can be convicted of a breach of the Fire Safety Order. If a fire occurs, the responsible person must eliminate the risk or reduce the potential damage by applying risk reduction measures. This includes ensuring the building has appropriate fire-fighting equipment, alarms, and easy navigation to firefighters. In addition to the responsibility of the responsible person, a responsible person also has the duty to implement the Act’s new regulations.

The new legislation will increase the responsibilities of responsible persons. It will extend the remit of the fire risk assessment and may mandate the responsible person to take remedial action. This will require the responsible person to have extensive knowledge of the relevant government’s risk-based guidance and assess the need for action. The legislation will be in force on the same day that it receives Royal Assent. The Fire Safety Act will come into force on 29 April 2021.

The new legislation has changed the responsibilities of responsible persons. Currently, the Act imposes more requirements on leaseholders. The new law requires that landlords pay for fire safety insurance for the tenants. The government has also enacted a compensation scheme for property owners and tenants who have suffered a fire in a building. The compensation scheme is designed to reimburse the costs of a negligent landlord or a property owner.