The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

Overview

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 sets out the regime by which organisations manage Fire Risks. The Order has been organised across 5 parts, which cover: 

• Part I General requirements
• Part 2 Fire Safety Duties
• Part 3 Enforcement 
• Part 4 Offences and Appeals
• Part 5 Miscellaneous 

The Fire Authority has developed 12 practical application guides to support the implementation of the regulation. Each guide is specific to the premises type to ensure the safety measure reflect the premises activity. In addition to the 12, one set of guidance has been developed for the escape of disabled people. The guides are aimed at existing premises and should not be used as a guide for new buildings as these will be subject to the Building Regulations. The guides are: 

• Fire Safety in Offices and Shops
• Fire Safety in Factories and Warehouses
• Fire Safety in Premises Providing Sleeping Accommodation
• Fire Safety in Premises Providing Residential Care
• Fire Safety in Educational Premises
• Fire Safety in Small or Medium Places of Assembly (up to 300 people)
• Fire Safety in Large Places of Assembly (over 300 people)
• Fire Safety in Theatres and Cinemas
• Fire Safety in Open Air Events and Venues
• Fire Safety in Healthcare Premises
• Fire Safety in Transport Premises and Facilities
• Fire Safety in Stables and Agricultural Premises
• Means of Escape for Disabled People (supplementary guide)

Each guide is packed with practical information to ensure the specific premises is legally compliant. Contents include:

• Fire risk assessment process
• Causes of fire
• Fire detection and warning systems
• Escape routes and lighting
• Examples of fire maintenance checks
• Technical information on fire-resisting separation, fore doors and door fastenings

Background

The Order has been on the requirement that organisations should carry out an assessment of risk, remove hazards and protect everyone from hazards that remain. The Order promotes the avoidance of fires and mitigation of the effects of fires to a level equal to the current position of securing safe escape but still requires the need for precautions to ensure safe escape in case of fire. 

The Order sets out a series of provisions for organisations to comply with. They must appoint a responsible person who will ensure that Fire Risk Assessments (FRA) are undertaken for the place and its activities. Identified hazards must be removed or reduced so far as is reasonable and risks to persons avoided. Special considerations must be given to the risks posed by:

• The presence of dangerous chemicals or substances, including the risk they pose in the event of a fire
• Any group of people who may be especially at risk in case of fire 

To protect people, fire precautions that remove risk and provide protection must be put in place and maintained. Any fire precautions must be installed and maintained by a “competent person” and include provision for fire-fighters in case of fire (e.g. fire-fighting shafts, access points, fire-fighting riser mains). 

The Order also sets out provisions for Fire Precautions that they (at least and not exclusively) provide for a means of detecting and warning of fire, a means of fighting fire and a means of escape. Plans must be made for actions to be taken in case of fire and staff should receive appropriate training. 

For most premises, the local fire and rescue authorities are responsible for enforcing fire safety legislation.