For responsible persons, fire safety contractors, compliance managers and facilities teams managing fire risk assessments and fire-safety records in England and Wales. It is UK-focused and not legal advice.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, often called the RRO or Fire Safety Order, is the main fire-safety law for non-domestic premises in England and Wales. It places the duty on the responsible person to assess and manage fire risk.
Who is the responsible person?
Usually the employer, building owner, landlord or managing agent who has control of the premises. In multi-occupied buildings there can be more than one responsible person, and they must cooperate and coordinate with each other.
What the fire risk assessment covers
- Identifying fire hazards and the people at risk
- Evaluating, removing or reducing the risk
- Means of escape, detection and warning
- Emergency plans, signage and staff training
- Recording the findings and keeping them under review
Maintaining fire-safety provisions
Extinguishers are serviced annually under BS 5306, fire alarms quarterly and annually under BS 5839, and emergency lighting has a monthly function test and an annual full-duration test under BS 5266. Fire doors should be checked at least every six months.
Keeping on top of it
CertFlow runs every fire asset on a service schedule, stores the fire risk assessment, captures monthly and annual checks on mobile, and produces the certificates that prove the building is protected.