Act One: The integrated Fire Safety Act 2021 compliance solution from MAF Associates

Act One is a new service from MAF Associates, offering everything you need to ensure full compliance with the Fire Safety Act 2021, its related fire regulations and guidelines. Developed specifically for residential buildings in multiple occupancy, Act One combines all of the professional disciplines within the MAF Associates team, giving you complete peace of mind and the assurance that you are meeting all of your obligations to tenants and building users under the UK’s rapidly evolving legislative regime.

As no two structures are identical, every project handled by the Act One team will be totally unique, based on the scale, construction, age and usage of the building. Our full service package includes inspection, evaluation, reporting and recommendations. Put simply, tell us about your building and we will tell you exactly what you need to ensure 100% compliance with the Fire Safety Act 2021.

Your Questions Answered

Why have you created Act One?
How does Act One work?
Will a single person undertake all of these surveys?
We already work with an internal Fire Risk Assessor, can we use Act One for the external checks only?
Will you tell me what I need to do to fully comply with the Fire Safety Act 2021?
Can MAF Associates arrange for any remedial works to be completed?
Why should I choose Act One?
The legislative landscape is changing all the time. Will Act One take account of this?
Is Act One only offered for residential buildings in multiple occupation?
Is Act One a fixed service offering?

Why have your created Act One?

Since the Grenfell fire, and especially since the passage of the Fire Safety Act 2021, the team at MAF Associates have become acutely aware of widespread uncertainty and confusion among building owners and responsible persons, especially with regard to their specific responsibilities under the new law. With Act One, we are bringing together our expert teams of facade engineers, surveyors and inspectors, chartered fire engineers and fire safety consultants to offer a single, seamless integrated service covering all of the mandated requirements.

How does Act One work?

It’s very simple. Give us a call, tell us what you’re looking for and we will tell you what you need to do to ensure full compliance with the Fire Safety Act 2021. We will provide a full and detailed quote for all of the necessary surveys, investigations and checks. If you decide to proceed, these will be undertaken at the earliest opportunity and you will be presented with a full and detailed report, including recommendation on any remedial actions required to comply with the law, including both physical and procedural changes.

Will a single person undertake all of these surveys?

The whole point of Act One is that it brings together a multi-disciplinary team to create a single, integrated service. You will be assigned a dedicated account manager in the MAF Associates head office, who will ensure all of the surveys, investigations and checks are carried out by the relevant, fully qualified members of our team.

We already work with an internal Fire Risk Assessor, can we use Act One for the external checks only?

Act One is intended solely to provide a single point of call for all your fire safety and consultancy requirements. That does not we can’t help you, however. MAF Associates is still able to undertake projects that do not involve multiple teams. Please give us a call to discuss your requirements.

Will you tell me what I need to do to fully comply with the Fire Safety Act 2021?

Your Act One report will include detailed recommendations from the MAF Associates team to make your building is fully compliant with the Fire Safety Act 2021 and any other relevant fire regulations. Once any required remedial work is complete, we will re-evaluate the building to ensure you have achieved 100% compliance.

Can MAF Associates arrange for any remedial works to be completed?

In terms of physical works to the fabric of the building, we tend to avoid direct referrals or recommendations to contractors as we must maintain our reputation for inscrutability and independence. With relation to specific issues, such as what type of cladding you should use to replace defective cladding, we may be able to recommend a new product type. We can also provide advice and sample documentation for best practice guidelines, such as an evacuation plan, or the recommended location and contents of a Premises Information Box.

Why should I choose Act One?

The new legislative landscape regarding fire safety, avoidance and evacuation in the UK can be a minefield, especially where high-rise residential buildings are concerned. If you are required to engage with multiple surveyors and consultants, you can still get the job done, but it will take up more of your time and some things may be missed. With Act One, you benefit from all of the experience and expertise of the MAF Associates team, with a single point of contact and 100% assurance that all of the mandated surveys, investigations and checks are being carried out.

The legislative landscape is changing all the time. Will Act One take account of this?

This is one more reason why a single, integrated service like Act One can help you meet your legal obligations. The Fire Safety Act 2021 is just one part of a much wider legislative regime that also includes the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Building Regulations 2010, and the External Wall Fire Review Form (EWS1). With official guidance on the new act expected to be published later in 2021, and further supporting legislation to be based on the outcomes of the Grenfell Inquiry, your legal obligations as a Responsible Person are evolving all the time. By leveraging the knowledge and experience of the MAF Associates team, Act One will help you stay one step ahead.

Is Act One only offered for residential buildings in multiple occupation?

Post-Grenfell, the overwhelming focus has been on medium- and high-rise residential buildings and this is what the Fire Safety Act 2021 was primarily intended to address. Whereas Act One is aimed specifically at residential buildings and their responsible persons, the team at MAF Associates are fully qualified to work with any building that requires fire assessment or inspection. Simply give us a call to discuss your unique requirements.

Is Act One a fixed service offering?

Absolutely not. The whole point of Act One is that it brings together the full range of services offered by MAF Associates, but your own unique quote will only include the services, surveys, audits and inspections that are legally mandated for your building.