For those responsible for fire safety in multi-occupancy residential buildings, staying compliant with recent legislative changes is crucial. These changes bring added responsibilities and underline the requirement for a robust inspection and maintenance programme for passive fire protection systems. In this blog, we clarify key legislative updates, explain their implications, and outline how effective maintenance ensures safety, compliance, and cost efficiency.

Key Legislative Updates

The UK’s fire safety regulations have evolved significantly over recent years, broadening the scope of compliance responsibilities and emphasising the integral role of passive fire protection systems in life safety. The Fire Safety Act (2021) extends the 2005 Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order to include:

• the structure and common parts of residential buildings with more than two domestic premises
• doors connecting domestic premises to communal areas
• external walls, including doors, windows, and balconies attached to these walls.

Section 156 of the Building Safety Act (2022) introduces new requirements for providing clear and relevant fire safety information to residents. Accountable persons must now share information relating to risks identified by the statutory fire risk assessment, and preventive and protective measures in place for communal areas such as stairways and corridors.

Passive Fire Protection Systems

Passive fire protection systems are designed to contain and control the spread of fire and smoke, providing critical time for safe evacuation and emergency response. They work alongside active systems, such as alarms and sprinklers, to protect lives and property.

Examples of passive fire protection include:

• fire-resistant doors, walls, and flooring
• fire curtains and dampers.

By compartmentalising fires, these systems minimise damage and reduce risk, making their maintenance essential to building safety.

Why Periodic Maintenance Matters

Legislation now mandates regular inspection, maintenance, and compliance reporting for passive fire protection systems. These checks ensure ongoing performance and accountability.

Integrating Maintenance into Existing Programmes

For organisations already conducting fire risk assessments, adding passive fire protection checks is a natural extension. Technical standards, such as BS 9999, provide clear guidance on the frequency of inspections based on usage within a building, including

• sole-occupancy situations
• communal areas with moderate use
• high-traffic zones that require more frequent inspections.

Post-Repair Inspections

Even minor building repairs, such as plumbing, glazing, or insulation work, can unintentionally compromise fire-stopping systems. McIntyre Compliance Services has observed cases where unrelated repairs impacted the functionality of passive fire systems, underscoring the importance of follow-up inspections.

Supporting Compliance Through Certification and Communication

Robust documentation and reporting are essential to help accountable persons meet their obligations arising from legislative change. Safety inspection and maintenance teams and providers should support these reporting obligations by providing:

• comprehensive inspection reports detailing the condition of fire doors, walls, and other passive fire systems
• statutory compliance certificates to demonstrate adherence to fire safety laws
• resident-focused documentation to help housing providers fulfil their communication responsibilities under the Building Safety Act (2022).

These reporting tools build trust and transparency, as well as fulfilling legislative responsibilities as outlined by the Building Safety Act.

Cost-Effective Compliance: Adding Value Beyond Safety

 While compliance and maintenance can seem costly, a proactive, repair-oriented approach can deliver significant savings while extending system lifespans. At McIntyre Compliance Services, our approach prioritises life safety while delivering value for money, helping organisations balance safety compliance with budgetary efficiency.

• cost reduction through maintenance: McIntyre Compliance Services regularly achieves savings for clients of up to 60% by repairing passive fire systems rather than replacing them outright
• maximising capital investment: Regular maintenance ensures the continued performance of safety systems, validating the original capital expenditure.

Recent UK legislative changes underscore the critical role of passive fire protection systems in safeguarding lives and property. By implementing a robust maintenance regime, accountable persons can ensure compliance with fire safety regulations, protect residents with reliable fire containment measures, and achieve long-term cost efficiency with proactive system maintenance.