Help & Guidance
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
What is the RRO?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into force in England and Wales from October 2006; transferring the responsibility for Fire Safety from the fire authorities to whoever has day-to-day control of building premises. This person must take steps to reduce the risk from fire; consider how to contain a fire should one break out and then also ensure people can escape safely. However, this major piece of legislation continues to be a hot topic and the Fire
Services are prosecuting more businesses and individuals for serious or repeated breaches of the law.
Where does it apply?
The order applies to virtually all premises and covers nearly every type of building, structure and open space. For example it applies to:
- Premises that provide care, including care homes and hospitals
- Community halls, places of worship and other community premises
- The shared areas of properties occupied by several households
- Pubs, clubs and restaurants
- Schools and sports centres
- Tents and marquees
- Hotels and hostels
- Factories and warehouses
It does not apply to people’s private homes, including individual flats in a block or a house.
Who is responsible for meeting the Order?
Under the Order, anyone who has control of premises or anyone who has a degree of control over certain areas or systems may be considered a ‘responsible person’.
For example, it could be:
- Employer with control of a workplace, failing that or in addition;
- Person with overall management of a building,
- Owner of premises (i.e. empty buildings),
- Landlords (multi-occupied buildings).
What action must be taken?
A building manager must know the building well; know how it is to be used; assess, identify and where appropriate reduce fire risk; organise maintenance and above all, monitor and train the building users. A fire Risk Assessment must be undertaken including;
- Identification of those at particular risk
- Elimination / reduction of risk
- Dealing with remaining risk
- Addressing explosive or flammable substances
- Creating an emergency plan
- Record and review the fire
Risk Assessment to ensure it is up-to-date Ignoring your responsibilities could result in prosecution.The massive fines for New Look (£400,000), Shell International (£300,000) and Tesco (£95,000), and even two jail sentences, speak for themselves.
Substantial fines have been imposed on all sizes of businesses, from small firms and landlords, to international companies. And even the London headquarters of Communities and Local Government – the government department that steers fire safety policy in England and Wales – has been served with an enforcement notice under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.