Last amended by The Fire Safety Act 2021 (Commencement) (England) Regulations 2022 in 2021. 2 commencement (coming-into-force) effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
The Fire Safety Act 2021 was the first legislative response to the Grenfell Tower fire, passed to put beyond doubt the scope of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 ('the Fire Safety Order') in multi-occupied residential buildings. It amends the Order to make clear that, where a building contains two or more sets of domestic premises, the 'responsible person' must assess and manage the fire risks of the building's structure and external walls — including cladding, balconies, and windows — and of the individual flat entrance doors that open onto common parts. The Act thereby brought these features expressly within fire risk assessments and the enforcement regime, and laid the groundwork for the more detailed duties later imposed by the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
Key Points
- Clarifies that the Fire Safety Order 2005 covers a building's structure, external walls, and flat entrance doors (s.1)
- External walls expressly include cladding, balconies, and windows
- Responsible persons must assess and manage these features in fire risk assessments
- First Grenfell-response Act; complemented by the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2021 — The Fire Safety Act 2021 (Commencement) (England) Regulations 2022
2 commencement (coming-into-force) effects (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
2021 — The Fire Safety Act 2021 (Commencement) (Wales) Regulations 2021
1 commencement (coming-into-force) effect (legislation.gov.uk changes data).
Frequently asked questions
- What is the main purpose of the Fire Safety Act 2021?
- The Fire Safety Act 2021 was the first legislative response to the Grenfell Tower fire. It amends the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to clarify the scope of fire safety duties in multi-occupied residential buildings. Specifically, it ensures that the building's structure, external walls, and flat entrance doors are explicitly included in fire risk assessments and enforcement regimes.
- Which buildings are covered by the Fire Safety Act 2021?
- The Act applies to buildings that contain two or more sets of domestic premises. In these multi-occupied residential buildings, the responsible person must assess and manage fire risks associated with the building's structure, external walls, and the individual flat entrance doors that open onto common parts.
- Does the Act cover cladding and balconies on residential buildings?
- Yes, the Act expressly includes cladding, balconies, and windows as part of the external walls. The responsible person is required to assess and manage the fire risks of these specific features, along with the building's structure and flat entrance doors, within their fire risk assessments.
- Are flat entrance doors included in fire risk assessments under this Act?
- The Act clarifies that flat entrance doors opening onto common parts are within the scope of the Fire Safety Order 2005. Consequently, the responsible person must include these doors in their fire risk assessments and manage the associated fire risks, ensuring they are subject to the same enforcement regime as other structural elements.
- How does the Fire Safety Act 2021 relate to other recent building safety laws?
- The Fire Safety Act 2021 laid the groundwork for subsequent legislation. It was complemented by the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, which imposed more detailed duties regarding building safety and fire risk management in multi-occupied residential buildings.