10 March 2023
Fire safety regulations are evolving, and it's crucial for all individuals responsible for operating in the built environment to stay informed and up-to-date.
After the Hackitt Review and the Grenfell Tower inquiry, the UK Government has been continuously amending the fire safety regulations. These changes include:
- Reforming the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Introducing the Fire Safety Act 2021 (FSA2021)
- Implementing the Building Safety Act (2022)
As of January 23rd, 2023, the Government has introduced the Fire Safety Regulations 2023, which specifically target multi-occupied residential buildings. These regulations entail certain rules and regulations, including:
- Non-high-rise buildings – for example, fire safety instructions must be provided to residents
- Buildings over 11 metres – for example, annual checks of fire doors must be carried out
- Buildings over 18 metres – for example, floor plans must now be provided to Fire and Rescue Services.
It's worth noting that, as of writing this blog, the regulations mentioned apply exclusively to residential buildings. Nonetheless, both the Fire Safety Act (2021) and the Fire Safety Regulation (2022) provide some useful best practices that can be applied to any business, regardless of the sector it operates in. By adopting these practices, businesses can prepare themselves to handle emergencies and deliver the best possible outcomes in case of any untoward incidents.
Responsibile Person:
According to the Fire Safety Act 2021, it is essential to review and update fire safety measures when necessary to ensure the implementation of adequate control measures. The act emphasizes the role of the 'Responsible Person,' who bears the responsibility of ensuring the safety of themselves and others who use regulated premises. It is their duty to make sure that residents have a clear understanding of fire safety instructions, report fire incidents promptly, conduct regular safety checks, and more. For further information, please click here.
Having someone responsible for ensuring compliance in any business is an excellent practice. This individual should have the authority to conduct regular checks of all safety equipment and ensure that all communication signage remains clear and useful within the business environment.
Fire Action Information:
One of the primary responsibilities of the designated person, as emphasized in the Fire Safety Regulation (2022), is to ensure that fire action signage is present in the business environment and that the information conveyed can be reasonably understood by individuals who do not speak English.
Fire action and informational door stickers are designed to be easily comprehensible and are available in multilingual formats.
Stairway & Floor Level and Dwelling ID Signage
When a building has multiple levels, staircases, elevators, and rooms/flats, it is essential to have clear wayfinding signage. Such signage not only enhances the customer experience in a business setting but also plays a critical role in helping emergency services quickly locate their destination.
On every level of the building, the floor number sign should be prominently displayed, visible from the top step of the stairwell or as soon as you enter the floor from the elevator. All additional dwelling indicators should be placed directly under the floor number sign, with corresponding door identification signage. You can learn more about this requirement here.
Visibility & Viewing Distances:
Another factor to consider when implementing a wayfinding system that prioritises safety is the installation of directional signage using Ultrabright Photoluminescent Materials. This type of signage is designed to store light from both natural and artificial sources. In the absence of a light source, the "charge" in these signs releases light, making them visible in dark or smoky environments. One of the benefits of this type of signage is that it does not require electricity to glow in the dark if installed correctly and well-maintained.
It is also important to consider the distance from which the sign will be viewed, as well as the lighting conditions and viewing angle, in order to ensure that the signage is effective in guiding people to safety.
How Allen Signs can help?:
We have been specialising in wayfinding signage solutions since our establishment in 1985! As previously mentioned, while the Fire Safety Acts and Regulations currently only apply to residential and multi-dwelling buildings, we have already assisted many of our current customers who are affected by these changes. We can help business owners, managers, or responsible parties in any industry to evaluate their current fire safety procedures and signage.
Our goal is to assist you in ensuring that your company is fully compliant.
Please feel free to get in touch with us for a quotation or if you have any questions.