A report providing an update on the new Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Bill.

The Executive Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report providing an update on the new Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Bill.  The report set out the main aspects of the legislation, the implications for Social Landlords and actions the Housing Service was taking in preparation for the implementation. 

The report explained that the Safety Act 2021 amended the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005 and clarified that measures the responsible person or duty holder for multi-occupied (two or more sets of domestic properties) residential buildings must manage and reduce the risk of fire.

The report also explained that the Building Safety Bill 2020 would put in place an enhanced safety framework for high rise residential buildings including the introduction of a Building Safety Regulator.  The new building safety regime would apply to high-rise residential buildings of 18 metres and above or more than six storeys (whichever was reached first).

The Housing Service’s response to the legislation, which included reviewing current fire risk assessments and identifying the new properties that would require a fire risk assessment by virtue of having two or more sets of domestic properties in one building, was set out in the report.

Resolved:     That the implications of the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Bill and the actions that the Housing Service was taking in preparation for their implementation be noted.