Article 17 Fire Safety Compliance in Kent | Stoptastic

Fire Safety Compliance in Kent: What Article 17 Means for Building Owners

For building owners and managers in Kent, meeting fire safety obligations is not just about installing the right systems — it’s about maintaining them. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and specifically Article 17, makes this clear.

Whether you're managing a commercial premises in Maidstone, a residential block in Canterbury, or a school in Ashford, staying compliant with Article 17 is essential for protecting occupants and avoiding legal consequences.

What Is Article 17 of the Fire Safety Order?

Article 17 places a legal duty on the "responsible person" to ensure that all fire protection systems — including passive fire safety measures like fire stopping and compartmentation — are maintained in good condition.

This means:

• Regular inspection of fire doors

• Ensuring sealed service penetrations

• Verifying that fire-resistant walls and floors remain intact

• Completing remedial works as required

Failure to comply may result in enforcement action by local fire authorities or increased liability in the event of a fire.

Why It Matters in Kent

Many buildings across Kent, particularly older stock or those converted for new uses, were not built with today’s fire safety standards in mind. This includes:

• Historic buildings in Canterbury and Rochester

• Office-to-residential conversions in Medway

• Schools and care homes with legacy construction issues

In these settings, fire stopping is often missing, poorly installed, or has been compromised during maintenance or refurbishment work.

Under Article 17, these issues must be addressed — not just identified in a fire risk assessment.

Common Signs of Non-Compliance

You may be at risk of breaching Article 17 if:

• Service penetrations (e.g., pipes or cables) pass through fire-resisting walls without adequate sealing

• Fire doors are damaged, warped, or not self-closing

• There is no documentation of recent fire stopping inspections or remedial work

• You’ve had renovation or building work done without follow-up fire stopping assessments

What Should a Maintenance Plan Include?

To remain compliant, responsible persons should put a clear fire safety maintenance plan in place. This should include:

• Regular surveys of compartmentation and fire-stopping systems

• Fire door inspections at intervals recommended by current guidance

• Professional installation of certified fire-stopping products

• Third-party verification and reporting

• Detailed documentation to support due diligence and audit readiness

How Stoptastic Supports Kent Clients

At Stoptastic, we work with landlords, facilities managers, and developers across Kent to:

• Carry out compartmentation and fire stopping surveys

• Deliver certified remedial works

• Produce the necessary documentation to demonstrate compliance with Article 17

We’ve supported clients in Tonbridge, Dartford, Folkestone, and beyond, helping them meet their legal obligations with confidence.

Take Action Today

If you haven’t reviewed your passive fire protection in the last 12 months — or you’ve had recent work done that could affect compartmentation — now is the time to act.

Contact Stoptastic today to book a fire stopping survey or discuss a maintenance plan for your Kent property. We’ll ensure you meet Article 17 requirements and protect your building, your tenants, and your peace of mind.