The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) is legislation defining the responsibilities of businesses and organisations as well as the role of individuals within these to carry out fire risk assessments; identifying, reducing and managing the risk of fire.
A person within the organisation will be designated as the responsible person and it is then their role to ensure, as far as reasonably practical, the safety with regards to fire of all employees and visitors within the organisation.
There are specific tasks that the responsible person will have to ensure are carried out and implemented. These will include, amongst others:
It is a legal requirement to keep a written record of your fire risk assessment if there are 5 or more people within the business.
The assessment should include:
All employees must be aware of the evacuation plan and be given training on how to raise the alarm should they find a fire and how to evacuate the building. There should be periodical drills to ensure that the system works and that everyone is aware of the routine and their responsibilities.
There must be clear signs on display to point to the emergency exit points and emergency lighting should be installed where necessary.
This guide is not exhaustive, but is meant as a first guidance for anyone unfamiliar with fire safety and their role within it.