The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - Key Issues

The main effect of the changes will be more towards greater emphasis on fire prevention in all non-domestic premises, including those occupied by the self-employed (where separate from their houses) and the voluntary sector.

Fire Certificates will be abolished and will cease to have legal status.

The Order requires fire precautions to be put in place where necessary and as far as is reasonable and practicable in the circumstances of the case. Responsibility for complying with the Fire Safety Order rests with the ‘responsible person’.

In a workplace, this is the employer and any other person who may have control of any part of the premises eg the occupier or owner. In all other premises the person or people in control of the premises will be responsible. If there is more than one responsible person in any type of premises, all must take reasonable steps to work with each other.

If you are the responsible person you must carry out a fire risk assessment (FRA) which must focuses on the safety in case of fire of all ‘relevant persons’. It should pay particular attention to those at special risk, such as the disabled and those with special needs, and must include consideration of any dangerous substance likely to be on the premises.

Your FRA will help you identify risks that can be removed or reduced and to decide the nature and extent of the general fire precautions you need to take to protect people against the fire risks that remain.

If you employ five or more people you must record the significant findings of the assessment.

Introduction

Background

Frequently Asked Questions

The 5 Steps of Fire Risk Assessment

Further Sources of Information