The Fire Safety Act 2021 was introduced to clarify and strengthen existing fire safety legislation in England and Wales. It places greater responsibility on those managing multi-occupied residential and commercial buildings, ensuring fire safety risks are fully understood and addressed.

Key changes under the Act

The Act makes clear that fire risk assessments must cover:

• The structure and external walls of a building, including cladding, balconies, and windows

• Flat entrance doors that open onto common parts

• Common areas such as stairwells, corridors, and lobbies

This clarification closes gaps in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, ensuring responsible persons can be held accountable for fire safety in these areas.

Why it matters for businesses

For building owners, landlords, and managing agents, the Act highlights the need for thorough and up-to-date fire risk assessments. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, significant fines, and reputational damage, not to mention the risk to people’s lives.