Fire Regulations and Guidance

This page contains useful links to key information sources, official regulations and industry guidance that is shaping the way the UK built environment is reforming its fire safety policies since the Grenfell Tower Fire Disaster on 14 June 2017.

1. Dame Judith Hackitt's Reports and the Government's initial response to Grenfell.

Dot.gov link to summary of Dame Judith Hackitt's reports.

Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety: Interim Report December 2017.

Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety: Final Report May 2018.

Building a Safer Future: An implementation Plan December 2018.

2. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Chairman: The Rt Hon Sir Martin Moore-Bick

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry was created to examine the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the fire at Grenfell Tower on the night of 14 June 2017. Follow this link to visit the inquiry's website.

The Phase 1 report has been published in four volumes, with a separate Executive Summary:

• 1. Vol 1. A broad introduction to the events that took place during the early hours of 14 June 2017.
• 2. Vol 2. Detailed narrative account of the fire and the steps taken in response to it.
• 3. Vol 3. The Inquiry's conclusions about the origin and development of the fire.
• 4. Vol 4. Looking ahead to identify what the Inquiry will concentrate its attention in Phase 2.
• 5. Executive Summary. Overview of the conclusion of Phase 1.

The Inquiry has concluded hearings for Phase 2 and is closed to the public. The final Phase 2 report is expected to be published in 2023.

The Government has published information on how it has responded to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 recommendations.

3. Links to UK Government and industry agencies that are defining fire safety policies

• HSE. Health and Safety Executive: Fire Safety.
• BSR. Building Safety Regulator.
• FPA. The Fire Protection Association.
• IFE. The Institution of Fire Engineers.
• IOSH. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.
• ASFP. The Association for Specialist Fire Protection.
• FIA. The Fire Industry Association.
• NFCC. National Fire Chiefs Council.
• BASFA. The British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association.
• CHSG-1. Construction Fire Safety: Responsibility and Competence Matrix.
• CHSG-2. Code of Practice for the Provision of Premises Information Boxes in Residential Buildings.

Legislation and Official Guidance

4. Legislation

We list the key fire safety legislation relevant to England and Wales. Northern Ireland and Scotland have similar Acts and Regulations.

The Fire Safety Act 2021. An Act to make provision about the application of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 where a building contains two or more sets of domestic premises; and to confer power to amend that order in future for the purposes of changing the premises to which it applies.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO) 2005 applies to England and Wales. It was a consolidating Statutory Instrument effective from April 2006, which replaced a number of previous Acts and brought the UK more into line with European legislation. Similar acts were passed in Northern Ireland and Scotland around the same time.

Fire and Rescue Services Act (FRSA) 2004.

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HASAWA) is the primary legislation for health and safety in the UK. You can view what the HSE have published on the Act here.

5. Regulations

Also known as delegated legislation, regulations are issued under the name of the Secretary of State and they seek to add more detail to how relevant Acts (primary legislation) should be applied to specific hazards or activities. Examples relevant to fire safety include:

• The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduce new duties under the Fire Safety Order for building owners or managers (responsible persons). They implement the majority of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations, and came into force on 23 January 2023 affecting both High-rise (over 18m) and Mid-rise (over 11m) Buildings:
• Fact sheet: Overview.
• Check your fire safety responsibilities under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
• Fact sheet: Secure information box (regulation 4)
• Fact sheet: Design and materials of external walls (regulation 5).
• Fact sheet: Floor plans and building plan (regulation 6).
• Fact sheet: Lifts and essential fire-fighting equipment (regulation 7).
• Fact sheet: Wayfinder signage (regulation 8).
• Fact sheet: Information to residents (regulation 9).
• Fact sheet: Fire doors (regulation 10).
• Fact sheet: Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: fire door guidance.
• Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR) 2002. View the Regulations or HSE information.
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. View the Regulations or HSE information.
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. View the Regulations or HSE information.

6. The HSE publish some practical guides on fire safety on their website.

7. Government Codes of Practice

The 2019 updated Approved Document B Volume 1 and 2 provides guidance on the requirements of B1 to B5 of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 with an effective date of 30 August 2019 for use in England. These two documents give guidance on fire safety principles and their practical application.

• Vol 1: Approved Document B: Dwellings
• Vol 2: Approved Document B (Buildings other than dwelling houses)

8. British Standards

Written as individual holistic guides that should be applied with mixing and matching, published British Standards' guides are often adopted to demonstrate compliance with the fire safety regulations. These document are not freely available and must be purchased from the BSI.

• BS 9999:2017: Fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings. Code of practice.
• BS 5839-1:2017: Fire detection and alarm systems for buildings - Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises.
• BS.5839-6:2020: Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings - Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in domestic premises.
• BS 5839-9:2021: Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings - Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of emergency voice communication systems.
• BS 5266-1:2016: Emergency lighting. Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises.
• BS 5306-3:2017: Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises. Commissioning and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. Code of practice.
• PAS 79-1:2020: Fire risk assessment - Premises other than housing. Code of practice.

9. HSE Guidance

Guidance publications are issued by the Health and Safety Executive. They contain practical advice and examples of procedures and safe working practices. Guidance publications have no legal standing and are therefore not compulsory, unless specifically stated. Organisations and individuals are free to make other arrangements, but the Courts hold that if the guidance is followed then enough will be being done to comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors also seek to secure compliance with the law by using guidance publications as the minimum standard to be met.

• HSG168: Fire Safety in Construction updated 2022

10. Government Fire Safety Risk Assessment Guides

• Offices and shops
• Factories and warehouses
• Sleeping accommodation
• Residential care premises
• Educational premises
• Small and medium places of assembly (holding 300 people or less)
• Large places of assembly (holding more than 300 people)
• Theatres, cinemas and similar premises
• Open air events and venues
• Healthcare premises
• Animal premises and stables
• Transport premises and facilities