FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT GUIDANCE
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) is the main piece of legislation governing fire safety in buildings in England and Wales.
The FSO applies to all workplaces and the common parts of buildings containing 2 or more domestic premises. It places legal duties on anyone in control of these premises (the Responsible Person - usually the owner or landlord) to undertake and record a fire risk assessment and put in place and maintain general fire precautions.
The Fire Safety Act 2021 clarified that the external walls, flat entrance doors and structure of buildings are all covered by the FSO and must be accounted for in fire risk assessments.
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and section 156 of the Building Safety Act Check your fire safety responsibilities under section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 brought in additional duties for Responsible Persons under the Fire Safety Order.
Find out if you’re a Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order and what responsibilities you may have: People with duties under fire safety laws.
If you have identified that you are a Responsible Person or someone with duties under fire safety legislation the UK government has produced guidance to help you to:
understand what you need to do to comply with fire safety law
carry out and review a fire risk assessment
identify the general fire precautions you need to put in place and maintain
We have provided links to the main guidance below alongside a link the government advice page to help you decide if you can produce your own fire risk assessment or if it is necessary for you to get the help and advice of a company likes Pinks Fire Safety.
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List of Government Guidance
The Government provides documents on fire safety law and guidance for those who have a legal duty for fire safety in a relevant building to help them meet those duties.
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Offices & Shops
This guide gives advice about completing a fire safety risk assessment for all employers, managers, occupiers and owners of premises where the main use of the building (or part of the building) is an office or shop.
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Small Guest Accommodation
How to comply with fire safety law for those responsible for safety in small paying guest accommodation. Larger properties should use the sleeping accommodation guidance.
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Sleeping Accommodation
This guide gives advice about sleeping accommodation for staff, common areas for residents and sleeping, dining or other accommodation for guests/residents. This guide is not intended for domestic premises, hospitals, residential care and nursing homes.
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Small Non-Domestic Premises
This guide gives simple and practical advice to assist persons with responsibilities for fire safety in in small non-domestic premises that have simple layouts, low fire risk, with limited fire hazards and a small number of employees, customers, and visitors.
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Fire Risk Assessment Checklist
If you are competent to complete your own fire risk assessment, the government have produced a checklist to help people responsible for the simplest premises to complete a fire safety risk assessment. If you do not feel confident you should seek advice.