Fire safety law

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is the fire safety legislation in effect across the UK, applying to nearly all types of non-domestic properties. This includes workplaces, commercial properties, spaces managed by voluntary organisations, those operated by the self-employed, and any premises accessible to the public. In England and Wales, it also covers communal areas within houses in multiple occupation and multi-occupancy residential buildings like flats. Replacing 118 previous pieces of fire safety legislation, including the old fire certificate, the Order shifts fire safety responsibilities from fire authorities to those with day-to-day control over a property—the ‘responsible person’ or ‘duty holder.’ If you are an occupier, manager, employer, or owner of any non-domestic property, you bear responsibility for fire safety. As the duty holder or responsible person, you are required to carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment for your premises. This assessment highlights the necessary fire precautions and safety measures, allowing you to develop a plan that prioritises the safety of occupants. This is an integral part of standard health and safety checks. For more details, refer to our building regulations for fire safety guidance.