The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 replaces previous UK fire safety legislation.  

Updated fire safety responsibilities from the 1^st October 2023.

Please note that if you are a ‘Responsible Person’ on whom duties are imposed under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, find out what new responsibilities you have as the result of amendments made to the Fire Safety Order by Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022. These new requirements come into force on 1 October 2023. Read more about the updated legislation on the gov.uk website by clicking on the link: Updated fire safety responsibilities from the 1st October 2023. Documents on fire safety law and guidance for those who have a legal duty for fire safety in a relevant building to help them meet those duties can be found on the gov.uk website at Fire safety: guidance for those with legal duties and includes reference to:

• The Fire Safety Act 2021 clarified that the external walls, flat entrance doors and structure of buildings are all covered by the FSO and must be accounted for in fire risk assessments.

• The Fire Safety (England) Regulations Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and section 156 of the Building Safety Act Check your fire safety responsibilities under section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 brought in additional duties for Responsible Persons under the Fire Safety Order.

• Find out if you’re a Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order and what responsibilities you may have: People with duties under fire safety laws.

The Welsh Government also has it's own Fire Safety Guidance information on the gov.wales website at Fire Safety guidance for businesses and workplaces, which at the time of writing showed as 'Last Updated: 11 September 2023' but which should be regularly updated by Government as relevant. The following links were listed on that ' Fire Safety guidance for businesses and workplaces' page:

•  Fire safety responsibilities under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022: Guidance (11 September 2023) 
• Make your small Non-Domestic premises safe from fire: Guidance (28 July 2023)
• Make your small block of flats safe from fire: Guidance (28 July 2023)
• Make your guest accommodation safe from fire: Guidance (18 September 2023)
• Fire safety risk assessment checklist: small premises: Guidance (28 July 2023)
• Fire Safety Act 2021: Guidance (19 January 2022)

Any fire certificate issued under the Fire Precautions Act 1971 is now withdrawn. If a fire certificate has been issued in respect of your premises or the premises were built to recent building regulations, as long as you have made no material alterations and all the physical fire precautions have been properly maintained, then it is unlikely you will need to make any significant improvements to your existing physical fire protection arrangements to comply with the Order.

However, you must still:

• Carry out a fire risk assessment
• Keep it up to date to ensure that all the fire precautions in your premises remain current and adequate.

Your premises may also be subject to the provisions of a license or registration (e.g. under the Licensing Act 2003) and the Fire Authority may wish to review your fire risk assessment as part of the licensing approval process.

Fire safety conditions within your license should not be set by a licensing authority where the Order applies.

UK Fire Legislation and the RRO 2005 - Who is the 'Responsible Person'?

The person, people or organisation in control of the premises, the 'Responsible Person', that previously held a Fire Certificate, will now have to assess the fire risks in all those premises, i.e.

1. Carry out a Fire Risk Assessment 

2. Provide and Maintain: 

• Means for detecting and giving warning in case of fire 
• Means of escape and Emergency Lighting 
• Fire Safety Signs 
• Fire Fighting Equipment 
• Monitor and review the Risk Assessment and revise as needed on an annual basis. 
• Inform staff or their representative of the risks. 
• Plan for an emergency. 
• Provide staff information and training. 
• Nominate persons to assist. 
• The objective of the assessment

UK Fire Legislation and The Objective of The Fire Risk Assessment

The principle of the Regulations and the Risk Assessment approach is goal based and is flexible to Employers’ needs. 

The Employer generates the risk in the workplace, therefore to safeguard the safety of employees, the Employer must:

1. Identify fire hazards.

2. Identify people at risk.

3. Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk.

4. Manage the remaining risks to acceptable levels by:

• Ensuring that all occupants are alerted and can leave the premises safely in the event of fire
• Reducing the probability of a fire starting.
• Limiting the effects should a fire occur

5. Review and revise the assessment.

How do I arrange a Fire Risk Assessment or Review?

Please contact us  for a no obligation discussion. We can provide you with professional advice to assist you in meeting your legal responsibilities.

All site surveys and quotes are FREE.

IMPORTANT NOTICE/DISCLAIMER - THERE ARE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE CHANGES AND UPDATES REGARDING FIRE LEGISLATION WITHIN THE UK IN RECENT TIMES. THE MOST RECENT AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE ON THE GOV.UK  and GOV.WALES WEBSITES VIA THE LINKS QUOTED ABOVE. WHILST WE HAVE SUMMARISED THE INFORMATION ABOVE AS A QUICK GUIDE, IT SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS ALWAYS BEING THE MOST CURRENT AND RELEVANT INFORMATION. LEGISLATION AND GUIDELINES MAY ALSO DIFFER BETWEEN UK NATIONS AND THAT ALSO NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED. GUIDANCE IS REGULARLY UPDATED VIA OFFICIAL CHANNELS AND THESE SHOULD ALWAYS BE REFERRED TO AND/OR EXPERT ADVICE SOUGHT.