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:

• Having a fire risk assessment carried out by a competent person, usually a fire risk assessor
• Ensuring the fire risk assessment is reviewed regularly, recommended annually or when there are major changes
• Ensuring that all recommendations resulting from the fire risk assessment are carried out
• Implementing general fire safety measures
• Carry out periodical fire drills
• Ensure that all firefighting equipment and fire detection equipment is tested and serviced in accordance to government recommendations or British Standards

Fire Risk Assessment

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:

• Identifying fire hazards
• Identifying people at risk
• Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks
• Record findings of the assessment, the subsequent plan to reduce the risks and provide adequate training to employees to enable them to carry out their roles effectively
• Check that the periodical inspection and testing of firefighting and fire detection equipment has been carried out and that everything is in good working order

Evacuation Plan

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.