This factsheet has been updated to reflect the fact that the Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool is now available. This is an online tool designed to support responsible persons to develop a prioritisation strategy for updating their fire risk assessments following commencement of section 1 of the Fire Safety Act.
The Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool has been developed to help responsible persons identify which buildings should have appraisals carried out as a priority.
Legal requirements of the Fire Safety Act
Section 1 of the Fire Safety Act clarifies that where a building contains 2 or more sets of domestic premises the responsible person must take account of structure, external walls and flat entrance doors in a fire risk assessment. The Fire Safety Act amends article 6 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order Act 2005 in this regard.
Section 3 of the Fire Safety Act makes clear that if a responsible person has followed the article 50 commencement guidance, which can also include use of the Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool, then they may then be able to use evidence of this compliance to demonstrate that they have met with their obligations under the Fire Safety Order (specifically the elements clarified by the Fire Safety Act).
Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool
In terms of residential buildings in scope of the Fire Safety Order, it is recommended that the Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool is used by responsible persons to determine how soon fire risk assessments should be updated in relation to external wall construction.
Where a more detailed fire risk appraisal is required the Fire Risk Assessment Prioritisation Tool may be used to determine the urgency of the inspection.
The factsheet goes on to address the following:
Where the Responsible Person has already updated their fire risk assessment to include external walls.
Where the fire risk assessment has not already been updated to include external walls.
Conducting a more detailed external walls assessment.
Purpose of PAS 9980.
Outcome of a detailed PAS 9980/external walls assessment.
Capacity of qualified professionals to conduct fire risk appraisals of external walls.
External wall information sharing obligations on Responsible Persons.
Residential buildings in scope of the Fire Safety Order.
Maisonettes.
Structure.
Home Office February 2023 Please click document below: