The Order starts with a fire risk assessment. Veritas carries them out, recorded in writing. Fire Risk Assessment
What is the Fire Safety Order?
The Order, often shortened to the RRO or FSO, replaced fire certificates issued under the Fire Precautions Act 1971 with one risk-based duty. Instead of a fire authority certifying a building, the person in control must assess the risk and act on it. That person is the Responsible Person; see Who Is Responsible for a Fire Risk Assessment?
Where does the Order apply?
To almost all non-domestic premises in England and Wales: workplaces, shops, offices, healthcare and education buildings, and the common parts of blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation. It does not apply inside individual private homes.
What are the main duties?
| Article | Duty |
|---|---|
| 8 | Take general fire precautions to ensure the safety of employees and others |
| 9 | Make a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and keep it under review |
| 11 | Put fire safety arrangements in place for planning, control and monitoring |
| 13 and 14 | Provide firefighting and detection, and keep emergency routes and exits clear |
| 17 | Keep the premises, and the facilities, equipment and devices provided under the Order, in efficient working order and good repair |
| 18 | Appoint competent people to help with preventive and protective measures |
| 21 | Give employees adequate fire safety training |
How is the Order enforced?
By the local fire and rescue authority, which can inspect premises and issue alteration notices, enforcement notices and prohibition notices that restrict or stop the use of a building. Failing to comply can be a criminal offence; the most serious offences carry an unlimited fine and up to two years in prison.
How has the Order changed since 2021?
- The Fire Safety Act 2021 confirmed that, in buildings with two or more homes, the Order covers the structure, external walls and flat entrance doors.
- The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, made under the Order, added fire door checks and resident information duties from 23 January 2023.
- From 1 October 2023, every Responsible Person must record the full fire risk assessment in writing and record who carried it out. A duty to appoint only a competent assessor (Article 9A) has been passed but not yet brought into force.
How does the Building Safety Act 2022 relate to the Order?
The Building Safety Act 2022 created a separate regime for higher-risk buildings, residential buildings of at least 18 metres or seven storeys with two or more homes, overseen by the Building Safety Regulator. It also made the amendments to the Fire Safety Order listed above. The Order still applies alongside it.