48.Section 7 provides that in the remainder of the Act (i.e., not in sections 2 to 7 or Schedule 1), any reference to a regulated building includes any “ancillary area” that is not actually part of the “building” that has been identified via sections 2 and 3 (including section 4 if relevant) and categorised via section 6.
49.“Ancillary area” means rooms, outbuildings, garages, car parks, yards, gardens or other areas, that are provided for the use, benefit or enjoyment of residents of the building.
50.Subsection (3) provides that if an ancillary area is (a) also for the use, benefit or enjoyment of other persons who are not residents, or (b) is only for the use, benefit or enjoyment of the residents of a particular residential unit or units in the building, it is still an ancillary area under subsection (2).
51.As a result of this section, many of the duties in the Act (for example, the duty on the principal accountable person under section 29 to ensure the assessment of fire safety risks) apply in relation to both the building that has been identified via sections 2 and 3 and categorised via section 6, and any ancillary areas relating to that building.
Commentary on Sections Part 1 - Safety of Buildings Containing Two Or More Residential Units Regulated buildings, residential units and categories of building Section 7 - Inclusion of ancillary areas in references to regulated buildings