Don’t Be Floored By Regulation Changes
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 are coming into force on 23 January 2023. As the name suggests, this means updated fire safety compliance requirements for building owners, managers, and maintenance personnel. While the focus of these regulations lies squarely with fire safety, this includes important provisions around lifts for ‘responsible persons’ in high-rise buildings.
These regulations have been promulgated in direct response to the Grenfell Tower fire. The firefighters on the scene of the fire could not control the lifts. This is because the mechanism that would have allowed this could not be operated. The provisions pertaining to lifts are designed to prevent delays and ensure there is no restricted access due to out-of-order lifts.
Adherence to these updated regulations is a commitment to safety. It is also one of the core responsibilities of diligent building managers. Find out what needs to be done under these updated regulations – and why working with specialist facilities maintenance professionals is the best way to ensure fire safety in your building.
Growing Fire Compliance Responsibilities
Lift checks as part of fire safety are nothing new. Responsible persons already perform checks as part of the Fire Safety Order and these new regulations add to, rather than replace, existing statutory responsibilities.
Identifying Lift Types As Part Of A Fire Risk Assessment
The responsible person should identify the type of lifts and include this in the building’s fire risk assessment.
Weekly Lift Checks
As part of the weekly checks on fire detection and alarm systems, various checks around the recall of lift systems are required.
Monthly Lift Checks
Lifts that are expected to carry firefighting personnel, as well as evacuation lifts, need to be checked regularly and reports on the status of lifts are to be reported monthly to the Fire and Rescue Service. In the case of lifts for firefighters and the evacuation of disabled persons, a power supply simulation forms part of the required checks. Responsible persons are also required to check key firefighting equipment monthly, as well as arrange monthly maintenance services as required.
Thorough Examination of Lift Functions and Supplementary Testing
A ‘competent person’ is required to check the functionality of lifts set to be used by firefighters and for evacuation of disabled persons. Alongside this, it is advisable to check equipment separate to, but associated with, the lift. The competent person may call for supplementary testing of both the lift systems and associated equipment. These thorough checks need to be conducted every six months.
Compliance Reporting
Following routine checks, the responsible person is bound to show the findings – whether lifts are in good working order or not – to the occupants of a building. This needs to be done openly and transparently.
What To Do If Lifts Are Found To Be Faulty Or Out Of Service
If, during the course of any routine check, a lift is found to be faulty or out of service, the responsible person is required to send an electronic report to the local Fire and Rescue Service. This report needs to be made immediately if it is believed the fault can be resolved within a 24-hour timeframe. If it is anticipated that it will take longer than 24 hours to rectify the fault, the issue should be reported to the Fire and Rescue Service as soon as possible.
Notices should also be placed on the lift in question. These notices should be placed on faulty or defective firefighting equipment that has been subject to routine checks. Depending on the nature of the fault, the responsible person may need to update the building’s fire risk assessment.
Get Going With Lift Maintenance
Well-maintained lifts form part of a building’s compliance requirements. To ensure your compliance requirements are met – and to the highest standards – it makes sense to work with facilities maintenance specialists. This relieves the burden on internal resources and mitigates the risk of non-compliance. Contact Voltix Services today to discuss your fire safety and compliance needs.