The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005/Fire Safety Act 2021 means that it is now compulsory for all businesses to conduct a 'suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment' of all premises and parts of premises.

The order came into force on 1st October 2006 and consolidates and supersedes all previous fire safety regulations, meaning fire certificates are no longer issued (except in certain high risk establishments) or accepted as proof of fire safety compliance.

The aim of the new regulations is to create a simpler system that makes it easier for people to understand what is expected of them, and to place the emphasis on fire prevention through risk assessment. There are very few exceptions to the new legislation, and you must ensure that your premises have a fully comprehensive and up-to-date fire risk assessment in place. It places duty of care on employer on employers, owners and occupiers of business premises to safeguard premises, staff and members of the public from fire risk in their premises. This means that all:

• are an employer (with business premises)
• are responsible for a business premises
• have a business based in a licensed property
• are a contractor with control over a business premises
• are self-employed

The new fire safety regulations are self-regulatory which means that it is solely the responsibility of the person responsible for the premises to ensure that a fire safety risk assessment is in place and that reasonable steps are taken to reduce or remove risk. There is no longer a policing authority but if there is a fire in your premises and you are found to be negligent or non-compliant with regard to fire safety risk assessment, you will be prosecuted. You could be deemed directly responsible for non-compliance with this legislation if you are:

• an employer
• self-employed with business premises
• a person with control over a business premises
• a landlord

If you are uncertain about whether your business premises are compliant with fire safety regulations call us now on 0800 193 8081 or 03335 778082, visit our contact and appointments page or email us to discuss with us how we can help. We have helped many businesses reach fire safety compliance, safeguarding jobs, lives and peace of mind in the process.

To ensure that you are compliant with fire safety regulations you must effectively manage a fire risk assessment that encompasses:

• fire risk assessment
• fire safety policy
• fire procedures
• fire drills
• means of escape
• emergency lighting
• fire alarms and fire extinguishers
• fire doors
• fire evacuations
• signs and notices
• fire training courses

Alternatively, one of our trained fire risk assessors could do the assessment for you. We provide all of our customers with a clear, easy to understand report that satisfies regulatory requirements and prioritises our findings to allow you to deal with any problems, or potential problems, as quickly as possible. Visit our fire risk assessment page for more details.

If you have any particular questions surrounding fire risk assessment, our fire risk FAQs page may provide answers to your queries.