The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 establishes fire safety regulations applicable to various premises, requiring a responsible person to conduct fire risk assessments and maintain safety measures. It excludes certain locations such as domestic premises and ships, and mandates compliance through general fire precautions while delineating the role of the fire service and enforcement authorities. The document includes guidance on fire safety for different types of premises and outlines steps for risk assessment and compliance monitoring.

1. The Regulatory
Reform (Fire Safety)
Order 2005

2. •To whom does it apply?
•The responsible/competent/relevant/person
•Fire Risk Assessment
•The role of the fire service
•Enforcement
•Guidance
•FDS
•Q & A

3. Legislative Overlap
Fire Precautions Fire Precautions
Act 1971 Workplace Regs 1997
Duplication
& overlap of
Fire enforcement
Employer
Service (120>) other pieces of
legislation)
Fire Brigade Business Community
(Prescriptive) (Risk Assessment)

4. Simplification,
Rationalisation, & Clarification
Regulatory Reform
(Fire Safety) Order 2005

5. Objectives of the Order
• To focus resources for fire prevention on
premises which present the greatest risk
• Ensure that fire safety facilities and equipment
(including fire alarms) are well maintained
• Overall aim is to reduce avoidable fires

6. To Whom & Where…
…does the RR(FS)O legislation apply?
All “premises” defined in the order and
includes any place and in particular any
workplace, vehicle, vessel, aircraft or
hovercraft; any installation on land and
any tent or moveable structure.

7. Who & Where….
Does the RR(FS)O legislation apply to?
All “premises”
except!

8. It does not apply to:
• Domestic premises
• Offshore installations
• Ships (unless permanently moored)
• Fields, woods or land (forestry/agricultural)
• Aircraft, locomotive, rolling stock, trailer or semi-
trailer (when used as a means of transport)
• Mines
• Boreholes

9. Responsible Person role:
Comply with articles 8 to 22
That responsible person must ensure that either he or another
responsible (competent) person:
• Carries out a Fire Risk Assessment
• Records significant findings and subsequent control measures
• Provides adequate general fire precautions
• Considers the safety of all relevant persons
• Provides adequate staff training
• Appoints competent persons

10. Responsible Person
Defined as:
a) In relation to a workplace, the employer, if the
workplace is to any extent under his control
b) In relation to premises not falling within paragraph (a)
i) The person who has control over the premises (as an
occupier or otherwise) in connection with the carrying on by
him of a trade or business or other undertaking for profit or not
OR
ii) The owner where the person in control of the premises does
not have control in connection with the carrying on by that
person of a trade or business or other undertaking

11. Responsible Person
• Employer
• Person in control of premises
• Owner
(NB the responsible person must appoint
a competent person)

12. General Fire Precautions
• Reduction of ignition sources
• Provision of means of escape
• Protection of means of escape
• Provide fire fighting measures
• Detection and warning
• Staff training
• Measures to mitigate the effects of fire

13. Relevant Person
• Lawfully on the premises
• In the vicinity of the premises who is
at risk from a fire on the premises

14. Competent Person
• Sufficient training and experience or
knowledge and other qualities to enable
him to properly assist in undertaking the
preventive and protective measures
• Responsible Person appoint themselves
• Employee
• Externally e.g. contractors

15. Fire Risk Assessment
5 Steps
1. Identify Fire Hazards
2. Identify People at Risk
3. Evaluate, Remove, Reduce and Protect from Risk
• Preventive
• Protective
4. Record, Plan, Instruct, Inform and Train
5. Review and revise

16. The role of the Fire Service
• Premises Audit Strategy
• 17 premises types
• 5 Risk Ratings
• Very High to Very Low
• Acceptable risk varies between premises type

17. 17 Premises Types
Hospital
Care home
HIGH House in multiple occupation (HMO)
Flats > 4 storeys
Fire service
R Hostels
Hotel
Emergency
Cover Model
House converted to flat
I Other sleeping accommodation
17 Premises
Types
Further Education Establishment
S Public Building
Licensed premises
K Schools
Shops
Other premises open to the public
LOW Factory or warehouse
Office
Other workplace

18. Enforcement
Fire Authorities have been tasked with
developing an enforcement programme
• Minor breaches will be dealt with informally
• Serious breaches will result in a deficiencies list
or enforcement notice
• Very serious breaches will result in a prohibition
notice and prosecution
Non compliance will lead to court action

19. Enforcement
• By the local Fire Authority
• HSE - nuclear facilities, ships and construction sites
• Local councils – sports grounds
• Crown Premises Inspection Group – Crown Buildings

20. Types of Audit/Inspection
• Initial Audit
• Re-audit
• Post Fire Analysis
• Unwanted Fire Signal (False Alarms)
• Arson Audit
• Specific inspection

21. Records
• All records assist in proving due diligence
• Fire Risk Assessment
• Fire Warning System
• Emergency Lighting System
• Fire Fighting Equipment
• Staff Training
• Theory
• Practical (Drills)

22. Guidance:
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
“A short guide to making your
premises safe from fire”
HM Government in partnership with
Chief Fire Officers Association

23. • Offices and Shops
• Factories and Warehouses
• Sleeping Accommodation (excluding hospitals, care homes &
private dwellings)
• Residential Care Premises
• Educational Premises (from Crèches up to Universities)
• Small and medium places of public assembly
(pubs,clubs,restaurants, cafes churches, village halls etc)
• Large places of public assembly (300+) (shopping centres,
conference centres, sports stadia etc)
• Theatres, Cinemas and similar premises
• Transport premises and facilities
• Open air events and venues (theme parks, zoos, fairgrounds etc)
• Healthcare Premises
• Animals Premises and Stables
• Means of escape for disabled people

24. HM Government Guides
All can be ordered via the Stationery Office,
the CLG website or Cleveland Fire brigade website or downloaded
free from clevelandfire.gov.uk

25. Q&A

26. Terry Connor
Cleveland Fire Brigade
tconnor@clevelandfire.gov.uk