Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

October the 1st 2006 marked the biggest change to fire safety legislation in England and Wales for 30 years with the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO). {Parallel legislation covers Scotland [The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005] and Northern Ireland [to be issued]}.

The main aims of the RRO are to make life simpler (rationalizing 118 separate pieces of fire safety legislation) and to drastically change the way in which we approach fire safety both in terms of responsibilities and emphasis.

Instead of the Fire & Rescue Service visiting, inspecting and issuing Fire Certificates, it is now the responsibility of all business and building owners/occupiers to carry out their own Fire Risk Assessments. (That is to say the creator of the risk must now take ownership of it and deal with it accordingly).

The change in emphasis is to move away from prescribing fire protection measures to concentrating on fire prevention measures, a process which is inherent in the risk assessment process.

• Identify the hazard.
• Identify who is at risk.
• Evaluate the risk, then remove or reduce the risk/hazard.
• Introduce measures to protect.

Furthermore in order to ensure that the protective measures are effective one should

• Record your assessment.
• Develop an action plan, policies and procedures.
• Instruct inform and train.

And finally, as we are in the habit of either altering our buildings and /or changing what we do in them, your fire risk assessment should be periodically reviewed and revised as and when necessary.

[The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - click here]

Frequently Asked Questions
- about The Regulatory Reform Order

Where does the RRO apply?
Generally speaking the RRO applies to all properties/premises except single-family unit private dwellings.

Who is responsible for compliance to the Act?
The Responsible Person is the person who either owns or controls the business or the premises involved.
The responsible person may delegate the work to a Competent Person (someone with enough training, experience or knowledge and other qualities to be able to implement the measures properly), however the ultimate responsibility for compliance lies with the responsible person.

What if more than one business is present on the premises?
The responsible persons would look after their individual areas for each business and are also obliged to cooperate and coordinate to produce measures for the whole premises.

Who should be included in the Fire Risk Assessment?
The Fire Risk Assessment should cover all Relevant Persons (all those persons that are legally allowed to occupy or enter the premises).
Therefore this not only includes employees but also visitors, customers, contractors etc etc. It also includes any person in the vicinity of the premises who would be at risk in the event of a fire in the premises.
Particular attention should be made to those with special needs such as disabled or young persons.

How will it be policed?
The Fire & Rescue Service will visit your premises and audit your Fire Risk Assessment. (For the consequences of non-compliance see our Fire Risk Assessment Page).

What if you already have a Fire Certificate?
Sorry, these are now null and void, but may be of assistance in carrying out your Fire Risk Assessment.