Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) for Communal Areas & Blocks of Flats
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 mandate that the ‘Responsible Person’ (landlords, block managing agents, freeholders, or RMC directors) must maintain an up-to-date Fire Risk Assessment for all common parts of residential buildings. This includes entrance lobbies, communal hallways, stairwells, landings, meter cupboards, and shared plant rooms.
What Does the Communal FRA Cover?
- Communal Escape Routes & Compartmentation: Integrity of fire-resisting walls, ceilings, cavity barriers, and service riser penetrations.
- Flat Entrance & Communal Fire Doors: Auditing FD30S / FD60S fire doors, overhead self-closers, 3mm gap tolerances, and certified ironmongery.
- Emergency Lighting Systems: Review of BS 5266-1 emergency escape illumination in windowless staircases and exit corridors.
- Fire Detection & Alarm System (BS 5839-1 / BS 5839-6): Assessing communal sounders, call points, and smoke vent actuators (AOV).
- Housekeeping & Combustible Storage: Checking for zero-tolerance combustible materials, bicycles, or waste stored along escape paths.
- External Wall System & Signage: Inspecting fire action notices, floor numbering, and fire exit directional signage.
Protect Freeholders & Block Managers from Unlimited Fines
Fire and Rescue Authorities actively inspect residential communal areas and can issue binding Enforcement Notices or prosecution for non-compliance. Our certified Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) affiliated assessors provide comprehensive reports within 48 hours. Call 020 8432 3282.
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