Fire Safety Update: What You Need You to Know

At M2 Property, your safety is our top priority. That's why we're providing a clear explanation of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, effective since January 2023.

Who’s Responsible? Understanding Duty Holders and Responsible Persons.

Fire safety regulations establish a clear chain of accountability. Here's a breakdown:

- Responsible Persons: The freeholder of the building is typically the responsible person. They hold the ultimate legal responsibility for fire safety in the building.

- Duty Holders: The responsible person can appoint duty holders to carry out specific fire safety tasks. These can be individuals or block managers with the day-to-day responsibility to manage fire safety. M2 Property acts as duty holder for the buildings we manage.

The duty holder has expertise in a certain area of fire safety, allowing them to effectively manage the tasks delegated by the responsible person. This can include conducting risk assessments, implementing safety measures, maintaining equipment, and providing fire safety information to residents.

Measuring Up: Building Height Matters

Knowing your building's height is crucial. The regulations apply to buildings exceeding 11 metres (typically around four storeys) but are stricter for buildings exceeding 18 metres (or at least 7 storeys). Here's how to measure:

- As a rule of thumb, start from the main entrance floor level, most often the ground floor, or, where the basement level doesn’t have its own entrance, start from the basement.

- Measure straight up to the finished surface of the floor in the highest storey (excluding any storey that's just for machinery or plant rooms), or, where there’s a roof terrace, to the level of the terrace

What's required for all buildings over 11m?

- Finding Your Way Out: Wayfinding Signage

Clear signage plays a vital role in fire safety. We'll ensure proper wayfinding signs are displayed throughout our buildings to guide residents to escape routes during a fire.

- Keeping Residents Informed

M2 understands the importance of clear communication. We’ll provide residents with information about fire safety procedures, the location of fire exits and equipment, and the fire safety measures we're taking as a duty holder.

- Fire Door Inspections: A Crucial Step

Fire doors are essential for compartmentalizing fire and smoke. Here's a breakdown of fire door inspection requirements:

- Under 11 metres: While not explicitly mandated by the regulations, M2 prioritises fire safety and recommends regular fire door checks in all buildings we manage.

- Over 11 metres: The regulations require monthly checks for all fire doors in communal areas and yearly checks for flat entrance fire doors (on a best endeavour basis). M2 will make every effort to ensure all flat entrance doors are checked annually.

- Sharing Information with the Fire Service

The regulations require responsible persons to share vital building information with the local fire service. This includes details like building plans, fire safety procedures, and the location of fire safety equipment. M2 will proactively fulfil this requirement to ensure firefighters have the information they need in an emergency.

Buildings over 18m or at least seven storeys?  Additional regulations apply.

Additional regulations apply to buildings over 18 meters high or with at least seven storeys, regardless of the overall height. So, even if a building is under 18 meters but has seven storeys, it falls under the stricter regulations, these include:

- Secure Information for Firefighters

A secure fireproof information box containing essential documents like building plans and fire safety procedures to aid firefighters in an emergency.

- Lifts and Firefighting Equipment: Ready When Needed

The regulations emphasize the importance of lifts designated for firefighting. M2 will ensure these lifts are maintained and undergo monthly checks (if applicable). Additionally, regular checks on other fire safety equipment are mandatory.

Together for Fire Safety

By understanding and adhering to these regulations, M2 Property and our residents can create a safer living environment for everyone. For more details, visit the government website.