The introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022 has brought about significant changes to the Building Regulations, with one of the most important being the creation of a new section known as Part 2A. This development has wide-reaching implications for the fire industry and those involved in construction projects. 

What is Part 2A? 

Part 2A establishes a new framework of responsibilities for individuals and organisations involved in building work. It introduces clearly defined duty holder roles, including: 

• Client  
• Principal Designer  
• Designer  
• Principal Contractor  
• Contractor  

Each of these roles carries specific legal obligations, aimed at improving accountability and ensuring that building work meets regulatory requirements. 

Importantly, Part 2A applies to all building work, not just Higher Risk Buildings. This is a crucial point for the fire sector, as it means these responsibilities extend across a wide range of projects. 

Implications for the Fire Industry 

For those working in fire safety, the impact of Part 2A is particularly relevant: 

• Designers of fire precautions (e.g. fire alarm systems, suppression systems, passive fire protection) are likely to fall under the definition of a Designer, and in some cases may also take on the role of Principal Designer.  
• Installers of fire safety systems will typically be classified as Contractors and may also be considered Principal Contractors depending on their level of responsibility within a project.  

This means that many professionals and companies within the fire sector now have formal dutyholder responsibilities under the regulations. 

Competence: A Key Requirement 

One major part of Part 2A is competence.  

Part 2A includes a new legal obligation for any person or organisation who is giving work to another person or organisation to ensure that they are competent to do that work. That applies when organisations are appointing other organisations, as well as when a person within an organisation is passing work to someone else within that organisation.  

People and organisations also have a legal obligation to refuse to carry out work that is outside of their competence. 

The regulation does not define what competence means. However, there are guidance documents such as BS 8670-1 that emphasise that this includes ensuring that individuals have the skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours that are required for the specific tasks that they are undertaking.  

To comply with this, it is necessary to ensure that: 

• Individuals have the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours.  
• Organisations have the necessary capability and systems in place to fulfil their roles effectively.  

This raises the bar for the industry and reinforces the importance of training, third-party certification, and ongoing professional development. 

What You Need to Do 

All individuals and organisations involved in fire safety design or installation should: 

1. Identify which dutyholder role(s) they fall under (this may vary project-by-project) 
2. Understand the specific obligations associated with those roles  
3. For each of the various activities that they carry out, determine how to demonstrate competence at both individual and organisational levels 
4. Carry out clear assessments (of individuals and the organisation) to ensure that those criteria are met, and can be demonstrated to third parties if required
5. Review internal processes to ensure compliance with Part 2A requirements  

Failure to understand or meet these obligations could have serious legal and professional consequences. 

Further Guidance 

The government has published guidance outlining these new requirements, including specific sections on competence: 

View guidance here

Final Thoughts 

Part 2A represents a fundamental shift in how building work is managed and regulated in the UK. For the fire industry, it reinforces the critical role that competent professionals play in delivering safe buildings. 

The FIA would note that the summary above only covers the competence requirements of Part 2A, but there are also a range of other legal requirements within that section of the Building Regulations.  

Ensuring awareness and compliance is not just a regulatory requirement - it is essential to maintaining standards, protecting lives, and upholding trust in the industry.