The aim of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO) is to simplify, rationalise and consolidate existing fire safety legislation. The new regime is effective from 1st October 2006 and affects those who are responsible for non-domestic premises, such as employers or owners. Self-employed people and the voluntary sector will also be brought within this regime.

The main effect of the RRFSO is a move towards greater emphasis on fire prevention in all non-domestic premises. Fire certificates are abolished and cease to have legal status as from 1st October 2006.

The Fire Safety Order applies in England and Wales. (Northern Ireland and Scotland will have their own laws.) It covers 'general fire precautions' and other fire safety duties which are needed to protect 'relevant persons' in case of fire in and around most 'premises'.

Responsibility for complying with the Fire Safety Order rests with the aptly named 'responsible person'. In a workplace, this is the employer and any other person who may have control of any part of the premises, e.g. the occupier or owner. In all other premises the person or people in control of the premises will be responsible. If there is more than one responsible person in any type of premises, all must take all reasonable steps to work with each other.

If you are the responsible person you will have to carry out or arrange for a fire risk assessment to be carried out which must focus on the safety all 'relevant persons' in case of fire. It should pay particular attention to those at special risk, such as the disabled and those with special needs, and must include consideration of any dangerous substance likely to be on the premises. Your fire risk assessment will help you to identify risks that can be removed or reduced and to decide the nature and extent of the general fire precautions that you need to take to protect people against the fire risks that remain.

If you employ five or more people you must record the significant findings of any fire risk assessments.

The responsible person is required to:

	Carry out or nominate someone to carry out a fire risk assessment identifying the risks and hazards.
	Consider who may be especially at risk.
	Eliminate or reduce the risk from fire as far as is reasonably practical and provide general fire precautions to deal with any residual risk.
	Take additional measures to ensure fire safety where flammable or explosive materials are used or stored.
	Create a plan to deal with any emergency and, in most cases, document your findings.
	Review the findings as necessary.

Generally the requirements of the Order will be little different from those already imposed under previous legislation in that it will require the responsible person to carry out fire risk assessments, produce a policy, develop procedures, provide staff training and carry out fire drills.

If you feel that you need help with fire risk assessment and management within your workplace, your first step should be to ring us for an informal chat. This will help us to understand the issues within your workplace and what you require. Generally, there are three main services that we can offer: