Common parts, entrance doors and external walls
For blocks of flats in England, responsible-person duties generally concern the structure, external walls and common parts. The government’s blocks of flats guidance (gov.uk) explains that assessment includes common parts, flat entrance doors and relevant external walls.
Shared entrances and stairs therefore belong in the building-level discussion, alongside doors connecting individual flats with common areas. The work needs a clear boundary identifying the building and parts concerned.
The assessment is recorded, kept current and reviewed, especially after building changes. Existing findings and building management arrangements provide context for the requirements, including questions about recommendations that remain outstanding.
Older buildings and proposed alterations
For older or altered properties, assessment questions may involve construction, previous changes and the relationship between doors, fire separation and escape routes.
London Fire Brigade, a fire and rescue service, explains this building-specific approach in its historic-building guidance (london-fire.gov.uk). Construction, occupancy and management inform the strategy, while alterations can compromise fire separation. Heritage constraints may require specialist and conservation input.
Known changes give a review a particular focus. Where previous alterations are uncertain, further information about the building may be needed before the scope is settled.
To discuss your residential building’s assessment requirements with Fire Risk Assessments Manchester, send a short message about the property and the parts involved.