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Regulatory Reform Order
In October 2006 the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into effect. This makes the ‘responsible person’ responsible for taking steps to protect the people using your premises from the risk of fire.
Who is the Responsible Person?
Under the order, anyone who has control of premises or anyone who has a degree of control over certain areas or systems may be a ‘responsible person’.
For example, it could be:
The employer for those parts of premises staff may go to.
The managing agent or owner for shared parts of premises or shared fire safety equipment such as fire-warning systems or sprinklers.
The occupier, such as self-employed people or voluntary organisations if they have any control; or any other person who has some control over a part of the premises.
Although in many premises the responsible person will be obvious, there may be times when a number of people have some responsibility.
What do I have to do?
The RRO places a duty on the responsible person to carry out a fire risk assessment. Responsible persons under the RRO are required, following a fire risk assessment, to implement appropriate fire safety measures to minimize the risk to life from fire; and to keep the assessment up to date.
The RRO allows you to bring in a competent person to help you carry out the risk assessment. This may be someone who you feel may have the necessary knowledge or expertise to carry out this task, including someone you know who has already carried out a fire risk assessment or a fire safety specialist whom you pay. If you do choose to get advice or help from others, the responsible person is still legally responsible for the risk assessment.
How can Firewatch help?
We have been carrying out fire risk assessments for many years our assessors have completed courses at the Fire Service College and by leading trainer CS Todd Associates who are instrumental in writing British Standard code of practises. We take the view that a fire risk assessment should be collaborative with the client as nobody knows their business, property and practises better.
