In the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, passive fire protection regulations have been scrutinised and revised at length. Accountability must now be assigned to a “responsible person” who will ensure that fire safety surveys are conducted by a competent person at regular intervals.
Following fire risk surveys, managers and landlords must prioritise any maintenance and repair works needed to maintain effective compartmentation. The responsible person (usually the building’s owner or manager) must keep detailed records of fire protection interventions in adherence to the ‘golden thread’ standards. This makes the information available to their successors and to the occupants of the building should they wish to review it.
This assignment of accountability makes passive fire protection, including the maintenance of effective compartmentation, an important part of the legal compliance duties of building owners and managers. If a fire should lead to fatalities, injuries, or property damage and there is evidence of negligence, courts may impose severe penalties.