Fire safety legislation in the UK has evolved rapidly in recent years, reshaping the responsibilities of those in charge of building safety. For duty holders, including landlords, managing agents, and building owners, these changes bring a new level of accountability that cannot be ignored.

Today’s regulations go far beyond basic compliance. They demand a proactive, well-documented approach to fire risk management, with a strong emphasis on prevention, transparency, and ongoing maintenance. Whether it’s ensuring the integrity of fire doors or keeping detailed safety records, duty holders are now expected to demonstrate continuous compliance, not just at a single point in time.

Understanding these legal updates is essential not only for avoiding penalties but for safeguarding lives and property. For those looking to strengthen their approach to fire risk assessments, working with experienced professionals can make all the difference in meeting today’s standards.

Want clarity on your fire safety responsibilities? Call Change24 today on 0800 654 6212 and speak with a specialist who can help you stay compliant.

“Fire safety compliance isn’t a one-time task, it’s an ongoing commitment to protecting people, property, and peace of mind.” 

Who Is Considered a Duty Holder Under UK Fire Safety Law?

Before exploring the latest legislative changes, it’s important to understand who qualifies as a duty holder. Often referred to as the “Responsible Person,” this role applies to anyone who has control over a building or premises.

This includes:

• Employers

• Landlords

• Building owners

• Facilities and property managers

Their responsibilities cover identifying fire hazards, implementing appropriate safety measures, and ensuring that all systems and structural protections are properly maintained. With new laws in place, these duties have become more detailed, and far more enforceable.

The Fire Safety Act 2021 Expanded the Scope of Responsibility

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the “Responsible Person” is typically the individual or organisation with control over a building or premises. This often includes:

• Landlords

• Building owners

• Employers

• Managing agents

• Facilities managers

• Housing associations

The responsibility extends beyond simply arranging inspections. Duty holders are expected to ensure that fire risks are identified, appropriate safety measures are maintained, and defects are addressed within reasonable timeframes. In practice, this means managing both compliance and operational realities at the same time, including:

• Occupied buildings with limited access

• Ongoing maintenance works

• Multiple contractors and suppliers

• Ageing building stock

• Incomplete historic records

• Changing building layouts and occupancy patterns

Recent legislative changes have made it much harder for organisations to rely on fragmented systems or reactive approaches to compliance.

The Building Safety Act 2022 Changed Accountability Expectations

The Fire Safety Act 2021 clarified that fire risk assessments for multi-occupied residential buildings must now consider external walls and flat entrance doors as part of the legal scope of assessment. This includes:

• Cladding systems

• Balconies

• Insulation materials

• External attachments

• Flat entrance doors

For duty holders, this represented a major operational shift. External wall systems often require specialist investigation, detailed surveys, and evidence-led reporting to assess potential fire spread risks properly. Many organisations are now under greater pressure to demonstrate that they understand:

• What materials are present

• Whether remediation is required

• Which risks are highest priority

• How findings are documented and reviewed

 

Those responsible for inspections, installations, and maintenance must have the necessary expertise to meet legal standards, making it essential to rely on qualified specialists.

Fire Doors Are Under Greater Scrutiny Than Ever

Fire doors remain one of the most important forms of passive fire protection within residential and commercial buildings. They help contain smoke and fire, protect escape routes, and provide critical time for evacuation. However, fire door failures remain extremely common during inspections. Issues regularly identified include:

• Missing or damaged intumescent seals

• Excessive gaps around doors

• Faulty self-closers

• Poor installation

• Unrecorded alterations or repairs

• Doors wedged open during occupation

Even relatively small defects can compromise compartmentation and reduce the effectiveness of fire protection systems significantly. Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, duty holders are now expected to:

• Carry out quarterly checks of communal fire doors

• Conduct annual inspections of flat entrance doors in buildings over 11 metres

• Maintain clear records of inspections and remedial works

Regular fire door surveys help identify defects before they become larger safety or compliance concerns. Ensuring proper fire door installation is essential, as poorly fitted doors can fail in an emergency, putting lives at risk.

Fire Risk Assessments Must Now Be Ongoing and Evidence-Led

Fire risk assessments remain central to compliance, but expectations around them have changed considerably. A modern fire risk assessment should not simply produce a generic checklist. Regulators increasingly expect assessments to:

• Identify building-specific risks

• Prioritise actions clearly

• Track outstanding issues

• Support ongoing review

• Reflect changes within the building

One of the most common compliance failures is not the assessment itself, but poor follow-up management after risks are identified. Examples often include:

• FRA actions left unresolved for long periods

• Incomplete remedial works

• Missing inspection evidence

• Building changes not reflected in updated assessments

• Poor communication between contractors and building managers

Professional fire risk assessments should help duty holders create a structured plan for managing risks over time, not simply generate paperwork for compliance files.

The Importance of Fire Protection Systems

The “golden thread” concept introduced under the Building Safety Act focuses on maintaining reliable, accessible safety information throughout a building’s lifecycle. For duty holders, this means maintaining accurate records relating to:

• Fire risk assessments

• Inspection reports

• Fire door records

• Maintenance logs

• Remedial works

• Compliance certificates

• Resident communications

The goal is transparency and accountability.

Fire Safety Compliance Requires More Than Annual Inspections

One of the biggest misconceptions among duty holders is that compliance can be maintained through isolated annual checks alone. Buildings change constantly through:

• Refurbishment works

• Occupancy changes

• Contractor activity

• Wear and deterioration

• Building system upgrades

• Operational use

A compliant building today may not remain compliant without ongoing oversight. The organisations performing best operationally are typically those treating fire safety as an active management responsibility rather than a reactive compliance exercise. This often includes:

• Planned fire risk assessment reviews

• Regular fire door inspections

• Structured remedial programmes

• Clear contractor management

• Accessible compliance records

• Ongoing resident communication

How Duty Holders Can Strengthen Compliance in 2026

Duty holders should focus on building structured, evidence-led fire safety processes rather than relying on fragmented or reactive systems. Practical priorities include:

• Reviewing fire risk assessments regularly

• Maintaining clear inspection records

• Monitoring outstanding remedial works

• Inspecting fire doors consistently

• Verifying contractor competence

• Improving documentation management

• Reviewing external wall risks where required

Working with experienced fire safety specialists can also help organisations identify gaps before they become larger operational or regulatory problems.

Staying Ahead of Fire Safety Compliance

Fire safety law changes in the UK have fundamentally reshaped what it means to be a duty holder. The focus has shifted from basic compliance to continuous responsibility, requiring a deeper understanding of risks, stronger documentation, and a proactive approach to safety.

By staying informed and taking decisive action, duty holders can not only meet legal requirements but also create safer environments for everyone who uses their buildings.

Ready to take control of your fire safety compliance? Get in touch with Change24 today and let their experts support you every step of the way.