Communities and Local Government (CLG) has policy responsibility for general fire safety in all non-domestic premises (including the common parts of blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation) in England. The Scottish Government and Welsh Assembly Government have similar responsibilities in Scotland and Wales.

General fire safety in England and Wales is delivered through compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (‘the Order’). In Scotland, fire safety duties are contained in Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, as amended, and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

The legislation implements a risk based approach to fire safety in community, industrial and business premises. It requires the responsible person (usually the employer, owner or occupier) to carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement appropriate fire precautionary and protection measures, and to maintain a fire management plan.

Fire and Rescue Authorities are the principal enforcers and have a statutory duty to enforce the requirements of the legislation.

Further information on the purpose and application of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales is available on the CLG and Welsh Assembly Government websites, along with detailed guidance on how to ensure compliance in a range of businesses premises:

For help in carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment or for further advice, please contact Anchor Health & Safety at info@anchorhands.co.uk