Accountable Persons and property managers now hold huge legal responsibility, but is their training adequate? We assess the gaps in knowledge for these non-technical dutyholders.. Fire Safety Training: A Critical Gap for Accountable Persons and Property Managers The landscape of fire safety in the UK has undergone a seismic shift since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, culminating in the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022). This legislation, alongside amendments to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO 2005), places unprecedented legal responsibility on "Accountable Persons" (APs) and "Principal Accountable Persons" (PAPs) for the safety of higher risk buildings (HRBs). While the intent is clear – to drive accountability and improve safety outcomes – a critical question looms: are these individuals, often non technical property managers or building owners, being adequately equipped with the knowledge and training to discharge these complex, often highly technical, duties? Evidence suggests a significant gap exists, potentially exposing both individuals and residents to unacceptable risks. Background Prior to the BSA 2022, fire safety responsibilities primarily rested with the "Responsible Person" under the RRO 2005. While this role encompassed a broad spectrum of duties, the specific focus on building safety for HRBs, particularly in relation to structural and external fire spread, was less defined. The Grenfell tragedy starkly highlighted systemic failures in building design, construction, and ongoing management, prompting a fundamental re evaluation of the regulatory framework. The BSA 2022 introduced the concept of HRBs and established a stringent new regime for their design, construction, and occupation. Crucially, it designated APs and PAPs as the duty holders for the in occupation phase of HRBs, placing on them explicit duties to manage building safety risks, including fire safety. This includes understanding the "golden thread" of information, ensuring residents are provided with clear safety information, and maintaining a robust safety case for their buildings. The RRO 2005 was also amended to extend its scope to individual flats within multi occupied residential buildings, further broadening the responsibilities of Responsible Persons, who often overlap with APs. These roles demand a sophisticated understanding of fire safety principles, risk assessment methodologies, building construction, and the nuances of complex regulatory frameworks. However, many individuals stepping into these roles come from property management backgrounds, where their expertise traditionally lies in financial management, tenant relations, and general maintenance, rather than specialist fire engineering or building safety. Key Developments The introduction of the BSA 2022 and its associated secondary legislation has accelerated the need for enhanced competency across the building safety sector. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been established as the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), tasked with overseeing the new regime, including the assessment of safety cases at Gateway 2 (prior to construction) and Gateway 3 (prior to occupation). For existing HRBs, APs are now required to register their buildings and prepare for the submission of safety cases, demonstrating how fire and structural risks are being managed. Key developments include: The "Golden Thread" of Information: APs are mandated to maintain a digital "golden thread" of building safety information, encompassing design, construction, and maintenance records. This requires a deep understanding of what information is critical and how it should be managed and updated. Safety Case Reports: APs must develop comprehensive safety case reports that demonstrate how building safety risks, including fire, are being identified, assessed, and managed. This is a highly technical undertaking, often requiring input from fire engineers and other specialists. Resident Engagement Strategy: APs are required to develop and implement a resident engagement strategy, ensuring residents are informed about fire safety measures and have channels to raise concerns. Competency Requirements: While the BSA 2022 doesn't prescribe specific qualifications for APs, it implicitly demands a high level of competency to fulfil their duties. The industry is grappling with how to define and assess this competency effectively for non technical dutyholders. PAS 9980:2022: This Publicly Available Specification provides a methodology for undertaking a fire risk appraisal of external walls (FRAEW) on existing multi storey, multi occupied residential buildings. While not directly a training document for APs, understanding its implications and the need for such assessments is crucial. ADB (Approved Document B): While primarily for new buildings, APs must understand how their existing buildings align with current fire safety standards and how any deviations are being managed. Regulatory Implication