Your safety

Fire safety regulations

Our aim is to make Cumbria a safer place for all by reducing the risks and social-economic costs of fires and other dangers.

person working at laptop making notes

Annually, within the UK, on average 30 people die and 2,000 are seriously injured as a result of fires in the work place. Besides the loss of life the damage to property, loss of business, fines, compensation claims and insurance premiums cost the economy over £6 billion. It can be the end for small businesses as 75% of businesses that have a fire within the first year of trading never trade again.

As part of the commitment to reduce fire deaths, injuries and the damage caused by fire the Government is changing fire safety legislation. This section advises on the changes in legislation and other aspects of safety at work.

The HSE Website provides more detailed information about health and safety at work.

Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022

High rise fault and repairs recording

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

Fire safety enforcement

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service (on behalf of Cumbria Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority) will enforce all matters relating to fire safety in accordance with the provisions of the statutory legislation for which it has enforcement responsibility.

Read more here.

Building Safety Act 2022: Section 156

Forthcoming changes to fire safety legislation

From 1 October 2023, new fire safety legislation comes into effect which will impose new duties on businesses and building owners.

The Fire Safety Order is the primary fire safety legislation in England and Wales, and it applies to all non-domestic premises as well as the communal parts of the residential buildings.  Changes to this legislation have been introduced through the Building Safety Act 2022 and represent the next phase of the governments fire safety reform programme.

The main changes introduced by the legislation are:

Written fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements

The previous requirement to have a written fire risk assessment only applied in certain circumstances (e.g. where the responsible person employees five or more persons).  This will no longer be the case, and if you are a responsible person, then you will need to record both your fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangement in full, regardless of the size or purpose of the business or premises.

Enhanced requirements for cooperation and coordination

In premises where there is more than one responsible person, for example in multi-occupied premises or buildings where the occupier and building owner are different entities, there are increased requirements for cooperation and coordination between responsible persons.

Provision of information to residents

In residential buildings with two or more domestic premises (e.g. block of flats) then the responsible owner must provide residents with information on the risks from fire within their building and the fire safety measures provided to keep them safe.  This requirement expands upon legislation introduced earlier this year that required responsible persons to provide residents with information on emergency procedures and the importance of fire doors.

For further information on all the chagnes to legislation and what you need to do comply, the Government has published guidance which is available on the Government's website.