Fire Risk Assessment for Shared Buildings

Shared buildings bring their own set of problems in relation to fire safety. Identifying who is responsible for assessing and managing aspects of fire safety in shared buildings is a key aspect of ensuring everyone’s safety, as well as compliance with legislation.

Who Is the Responsible Person

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 the duty of a “responsible person” (usually a landlord, managing agent or an employer) applies in a shared premises situation. Guidance on who is responsible for fire safety in shared premises is published on GOV.UK.

Communal Areas Must Be Assessed

Staircases, corridors, plant rooms, etc. need to be assessed as shared areas that the responsible person has control over. This would form part of the assessment of shared areas as opposed to an individual tenant assessing their own flat.

Divide Responsibilities Clearly

Under normal circumstances the landlord would be responsible for the shared parts of the building and the tenant for the parts of the building that they occupy.

Share Findings With All Occupiers

When a fire risk assessment has been completed, it is recommended that all parties are informed of the findings. Specifically, all tenants and other businesses occupying the building should be given a summary document outlining the means of escape, any specific assembly point and other risks associated with shared parts of the building.

Revisit the Assessment When Things Change

Your Shared Areas assessment needs reviewing when there is a change in the way your building is occupied or a change to the layout of your Shared Areas. This could be due to a new tenant, change of use or a refurbishment of your Shared Areas.

For Fire Risk Assessment Cheltenham, see https://www.apmfireandsecurity.com/fire-risk-assessment/cheltenham.

So long as you get these matters established for your tenants as soon as possible, everyone in the building will be safe.