Accountable Persons
The role of Accountable Person was created in 2022 by the Building Safety Act, which changed the Fire Safety Order - the main law that governs fire safety in buildings.
Accountable Persons have duties and responsibilities for high rise buildings and those that contain two or more sets of domestic premises. For further information and details of Government Guidance, see below ...
About Accountable Persons
What is an Accountable Person (AP)?
An Accountable Person manages '... the fire and structural safety risks of a high-rise residential building'.
They can be '...an individual or organisation that owns or has a legal obligation to repair any common parts of the building' which can include corridors, staircases and the structure and exterior of the building.
What buildings must have an Accountable Person?
If your building is high rise or contains two or more sets of domestic premises, you will need to appoint an accountable person.
If your building is neither of these, you do not need to appoint an AP.
How Accountable Persons should work with RPs
The RP should take 'reasonable steps' to identify the Accountable person (including any principle Accountable Person(s)) in your premises if your premises are:
- at least 18 metres in height or have at least 7 storeys
- contain at least 2 residential units
RPs should cooperate with APs - for example, by sharing the Fire Risk Assessment - so that APs can carry out their legal duties.
RPs and APs should both take a 'whole building approach' to the building and its fire safety.
Buildings with more than one Accountable Person
Some buildings may have multiple APs, with one appointed as the 'principle accountable person'. In some cases, the principle AP may also be the RP.
Where the RP and AP are not the same person, '...building safety information must be shared across these roles and any information shared must meet data protection requirements'
Guidance for Accountable Persons
The Government (Health and Safety Executive) publish helpful guidance for Accountable Persons detailing what an Accountable Person is and does, their legal duties, information about managing a building, competency and more. Accountable persons and those who may become accountable persons - should read this Guidance.