Building Regulations and Fire Safety Procedural Guidance

On the 15th July the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) brought our attention to the publication of the revised Procedural Guidance on the way in which building control bodies consult with fire and rescue services on plans for building work. The guidance also covers the arrangements for the handover of fire safety information.

Who is it for? 

• designers 
• developers 
• occupiers 
• employers 
• building owners 
• building safety managers 
• Responsible Persons (as required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) • fire risk assessors

What does it aim to do?

'It explains the steps involved in approving the fire safety aspects of building work, and the interaction between the Building Regulations and other statutory fire safety requirements in England and Wales.

If the procedures described in this guide are followed prior to work commencing on site, developers and designers will be able to receive fire safety information relevant to the Building Regulations and other statutory approvals in time to avoid abortive work. Owners and occupiers will also benefit, as this process will generate a basis for their fire safety management procedures and risk assessment.

By ensuring proper and timely consultation between Building Control Bodies and Fire and Rescue Services, and appropriate regard to the Fire and Rescue Service’s response, there should be no need for extra building work to be undertaken at the end of a building project and before the building can be occupied for its intended purpose.

Where functional compliance has been achieved by a fire engineered or management approach, there should be no need for fire safety enforcing authorities to undertake any remedial enforcement action at the time of occupation. Developers and designers should have provided owners and occupiers with sufficient information detailing how functional compliance was achieved to enable preparation of suitable fire risk assessment and management arrangements to ensure the building is safe when occupied.'

Throughout this guide, it is assumed that users are appropriately competent and conversant with the technical aspects of fire safety and its regulation, or that they employ professional advisors who have a proven competence. Obtaining a Level 3 Qualification is a great way to prove your competence. Our BS 5939-1 Fundamentals qualification is recognised by OFQUAL as being Level 3. Learn more here.

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