The Fire Safety (Tall Residential Buildings) (Jersey) Regulations apply to tall residential buildings with a top storey more than 11 metres above ground — typically five storeys or more — covering both existing and new blocks with two or more dwellings and shared corridors or stairways. Approximately 125 buildings and around 8,500 residents will be affected.
Until now, Jersey has relied on voluntary compliance with English fire safety standards; there was no dedicated legal framework requiring ongoing fire safety management once a building was occupied. The new Regulations fill this gap, aligning Jersey with best practice and responding to identified risks in routine safety checks, resident information provision, and emergency service readiness.
Key requirements for owners and agents
The Responsible Person, typically the building owner or managing agent, must ensure that fire safety systems and processes are implemented, maintained and regularly reviewed. While the law sets out detailed duties, key provisions include:
- Regular inspections and maintenance of critical fire safety features such as self-closing fire doors, smoke control systems, fire service lifts, dry risers, and related equipment.
- Provision of fire safety instructions to residents, ensuring they understand evacuation procedures and safety arrangements.
- Accurate building information (such as floor plans and signposting) supplied to the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service to support efficient emergency response.
These duties reflect recommendations from Phase 1 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and similar regulatory frameworks in England.
Inspections and enforcement
Over time, it is anticipated that the fire and rescue service will inspect all buildings that fall under the regulations, starting with those considered highest risk due to their height or complexity. Properties will not be inspected every year unless there are issues which need to be followed up on.
Buildings that fail to comply with the regulations will initially receive advice and an informal notice. This can be progressed to a formal improvement notice, and continued failure to resolve issues can result in prosecution.
Practical implications for building managers
Agents operating in Jersey should review which properties in their portfolios fall within the scope of the regulations, identify the Responsible Person for each building, and clarify roles in contracts and service agreements.
It will be important to engage proactively with building owners to budget for new inspection and maintenance obligations, noting that additional compliance activity may entail costs.
