Legislation and guidance for business

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into effect in October 2006 and replaced over 70 pieces of fire safety law.

The Order applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including the common parts of blocks of flats or houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). The law applies to you if you are:

• responsible for business premises
• an employer or self-employed with business premises
• responsible for a part of a dwelling where that part is solely used for business purposes
• a charity or voluntary organisation
• a contractor with a degree of control over any premises

Under the Order, the responsible person must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority is responsible for enforcing the Order and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service carries out fire safety inspection work on behalf of the Authority.

The order is enforced through periodic inspections or audits of non-domestic premises by the Fire Service. If we consider that the responsible person has failed to comply with any provision of the order, we may consider taking further action.

The following documents and links provide guidance to ensure you comply with the requirements of the Act.

DCLG legislative documents
Gov.uk website, where you may download the RR(FS)O legislative documents for various types of premises.

Brief risk assessment
Brief pro-forma risk assessment.

LACORS national guidance notes
National guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing.

A short guide to making your premises safe from fire
Chief Fire Officer's Association guidance.

Other documents

• Storage of fireworks in retail premises 
• Making your premises safe from fire – Chinese
• Making your premises safe from fire – Turkish
• Rosepark Nursing Home fatal accident inquiry report