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Fire safety for resident directors

Fire safety measures

In this guide

You’ll need to make sure there are suitable fire safety measures and equipment for the common parts of the building.

What’s needed will depend on the type of building, and the recommendations from the fire risk assessment.

For more information on measures and managing fire risk see the government’s guidance on fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats.

Rules for taller buildings in England

For taller buildings in England you must do certain checks on fire safety measures and equipment, under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.

Buildings over 11 metres

If the building is over 11 metres, you must:

  • make sure that fire doors in communal areas are checked at least every 3 months
  • make sure flat entrance doors are checked at least every 12 months

This can be a simple check to make sure the doors are self-closing and undamaged. Any problems must be fixed as soon as possible.

Buildings 18 metres or higher (or at least 7 storeys)

If the building is 18 metres or higher (or at least 7 storeys) you must make sure that there is:

  • wayfinding signage to help fire and rescue crews
  • a secure information box containing contact details for the building and floor plans
  • a monthly check of fire safety equipment such as lifts, rising mains for water supply, sprinklers and fire alarm systems – any faults must be reported to the local fire and rescue service

Find out more:

Paying for fire safety measures

The cost of maintaining fire safety measures and equipment can usually be charged to leaseholders through the service charge, if the leases allow this. The measures and the costs must be reasonable and proportionate to what’s needed for your building.

If work is needed that will cost any one leaseholder more than £250 (including VAT), you must consult leaseholders through the Section 20 process.

However, if certain conditions are met, the costs of remediation work to fix historic fire safety defects, such as unsafe cladding, might not be chargeable to leaseholders.

Last updated:
2 April 2026
Next review:
2 April 2028

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