On the 23rd January 2023 the provisions contained in the Fire Safety (England) Regulations (FSRs) that were placed on the statute book on the 18th May 2022 came into force. These regulations implement a majority of the recommendations made to Government from the Phase 1 report by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
In terms of fire-resistant flat entrance doors, the FSRs does not make any changes to the performance requirements of the fire doors but clarifies that these doors are included within the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This clarification means that fire-resistant flat entrance doors must be inspected and a risk assessment carried out at least every 12 months and appropriate action taken to remedy any issue found that may affect the performance of the door.
The responsibility to carry out these regular risk assessments is that of the Responsible Person (RP) of the building involved as well as ensuring occupants of the flats are aware of their responsibilities in relation to the fire safety of the building.
Fire door manufacturers and installers must provide information about the manufacturer and specification of the fire doors to enable the RP to inform occupants on fire safety and to provide the fire risk assessor with the necessary information to them to carry out the necessary visual assessment of the fire door.
Full details of the requirements of the FSRs can be found at: https://www.acdm.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Technical-Bulletin-Fire-safety-Regulations.pdf
