1st October 2021
The Fire Safety Act 2021 has now come into force in Wales.
It amends the Fire Safety Order 2005 (“the 2005 Order”) and clarifies that for any building containing two or more sets of domestic premises
- The 2005 Order applies to the building’s structure and external walls and any common parts, and applies to the entrance doors to individual flats opening into common parts; and
- References to external walls in the 2005 Order include “doors or windows in those walls” and “anything attached to the exterior of those walls (including balconies).”
The aim of these amendments to the 2005 Order is to clarify that the Responsible Person must manage and reduce the risk of fire for these areas.
The fire risk assessment will therefore be required to cover these areas.
The clarification empowers the local fire and rescue authority to take enforcement action in respect of these areas.
To accompany the Act coming into force the Welsh Government has also published guidance on the roles and responsibilities of those responsible for fire safety in buildings.
Further and more detailed guidance will also be published in the coming months.
Further information: