Definition
Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 are secondary legislation under the Fire Safety Act 2021, introducing additional fire safety duties for responsible persons of multi-occupied residential buildings in England from January 2023. Requirements include quarterly inspections of communal fire doors, provision of fire safety instructions to residents, and — for buildings above 18 metres — installation of an evacuation alert system and a building information box for the fire service.
Terms mentioned in this definition
What Are the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022?
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 — sometimes abbreviated as the FSE Regulations — are secondary legislation that came into force in January 2023. They were made under the Fire Safety Act 2021 and impose additional, specific duties on responsible persons of multi-occupied residential buildings in England. They were a direct legislative response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, giving effect to recommendations about improving fire safety in residential blocks.
Who Do They Apply To?
The Regulations apply to the responsible person of any building in England that contains two or more sets of domestic premises and has a common area. This includes blocks of flats, converted houses in multiple occupation, and purpose-built apartment buildings. Requirements are tiered by building height:
- All multi-occupied residential buildings — fire safety information must be provided to residents in a format they can use; fire doors in communal areas must be inspected at least quarterly
- Buildings over 11 metres — responsible persons must seek resident co-operation with fire safety measures and check flat entrance fire doors at least annually
- Buildings over 18 metres (high-rise) — mandatory installation of an evacuation alert system and a building information box; monthly lift checks and biannual checks of key firefighting equipment
Fire Door Inspection Requirements
One of the most significant practical requirements is the duty to inspect communal fire doors at least quarterly — and to use reasonable endeavours to inspect flat entrance doors at least annually. This is in addition to the quarterly inspections required under good practice guidance. The inspections need not be carried out by a specialist — the responsible person can carry them out themselves, provided they know what to look for. However, using a trained fire door inspector is strongly recommended for buildings with a large number of doors.
Evacuation Alert Systems
For high-rise buildings above 18 metres, the Regulations require the installation of an evacuation alert system (EAS) — a system that enables the fire and rescue service to trigger audible and visual alerts in specific parts of the building, directing targeted floor-by-floor evacuation when needed. EAS systems must comply with BS 8629 and be maintained in efficient working order.
Building Information Boxes
Responsible persons of high-rise buildings must provide a building information box accessible to the fire and rescue service, containing key building information including floor plans, details of the structure and external wall systems, fire safety equipment locations, and details of any known defects. This ensures attending firefighters have immediate access to critical building intelligence in an emergency.
Relevant UK Standards & Legislation
- Fire Safety Act 2021Parent Act under which the 2022 Regulations are made
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005Amended by the Fire Safety Act 2021 to extend duties to external walls and flat entrance doors
- BS 8629Code of practice for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of evacuation alert systems for use by fire and rescue services
Related Terms
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005Fire Regulations & StandardsThe Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) is the primary fire safety legislation in England and Wales, applying to all non-domestic premises. It places a legal duty on the responsible person to carry out a fire risk assessment, implement appropriate fire safety measures, and maintain them effectively. Non-compliance can result in unlimited fines or imprisonment of up to two years.View definition
- Fire Safety Act 2021Fire Regulations & StandardsThe Fire Safety Act 2021 amended the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 to explicitly bring the structure, external walls (including cladding and balconies), and flat entrance doors of multi-occupied residential buildings within scope of fire safety law. The Act was introduced in direct response to findings from the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry and came into force in England and Wales in August 2021.View definition
- Responsible Person (Fire Safety)Fire Regulations & StandardsThe responsible person is the individual or organisation with control of a non-domestic premises who, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, has a legal duty to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of fire, protect occupants, and maintain fire safety measures — including carrying out or commissioning a suitable fire risk assessment.View definition
- Higher-Risk BuildingsFire Regulations & StandardsHigher-risk buildings (HRBs) are multi-occupied residential buildings that are 18 metres or more in height, or have at least 7 storeys, as defined by the Building Safety Act 2022. They are subject to the most stringent fire and building safety requirements in England, including registration with the Building Safety Regulator, appointment of a Principal Accountable Person, and compliance with the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.View definition
- Evacuation Alert SystemGeneral Fire SafetyAn evacuation alert system (EAS) is an electronic system installed in higher-risk residential buildings that enables the fire and rescue service to issue targeted floor-by-floor evacuation alerts, directing residents to evacuate when the stay-put strategy is no longer safe. Required under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 for all residential buildings above 18 metres, EAS must comply with BS 8629 and be regularly tested and maintained.View definition
Frequently Asked Questions
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 are secondary legislation under the Fire Safety Act 2021, introducing additional fire safety duties for responsible persons of multi-occupied residential buildings in England from January 2023. Requirements include quarterly inspections of communal fire doors, provision of fire safety instructions to residents, and — for buildings above 18 metres — installation of an evacuation alert system and a building information box for the fire service.
Requirements for fire safety (england) regulations 2022 in the UK depend on the type of premises and applicable legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and relevant British Standards. The responsible person for a premises must ensure adequate fire safety provisions are in place. The British Fire Consortium can provide guidance — contact our team or search our member directory to find a qualified specialist.
Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 are related fire safety concepts but serve different purposes. See our individual glossary entries for detailed definitions. For expert guidance on which applies to your premises, consult a BFC member company.
The British Fire Consortium offers EAL Level 3 accredited training covering fire safety systems including topics related to fire safety (england) regulations 2022. Our courses are the only nationally recognised Level 3 qualifications across all fire disciplines. View our training courses or use the member directory to find a qualified trainer near you.