Skip to content

Fire safety law




Fire safety law changed in October 2006 with the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The requirement for businesses to have fire certificates has been abolished and any previously held are no longer valid.

Under the Order, the responsible person must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan.  

Further information on what you need to do when carrying out a risk assessment is available in the 5-step fire risk assessment checklist on the Communities and Local Government website.

In addition, more detailed advice and guidance on the implementation of a fire risk management plan can be found in the series of guidance documents available below. The more technical guidance documents have been produced with specific types of business premises in mind. If, having completed a fire risk assessment, you need more practical advice or information, your local Fire and Rescue Authority may be able to help.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Welsh Guidance Note: Determination request process under article 36 for enforcing authorities and responsible persons

18/09/12
Provides Welsh guidance on the Determination request process available to enforcing authorities and responsible persons under article 36 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
 

Do you have paying guests?

04/05/12
Information on complying with fire safety law for people who provide sleeping accommodation.
 

Frequently asked questions

24/09/10
On this page you can find answers to some common fire safety questions.
 
Guide 13 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Means of Escape for Disabled People (Supplementary Guide)

Guide 13 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Means of Escape for Disabled People (Supplementary Guide)

19/09/08
This guide is a supplement to be read alongside other guides in this series.
 
Guide 12 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Animal Premises and Stables

Guide 12 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Animal Premises and Stables

20/06/08
This guide is for employers, managers, occupiers and owners of animal premises and stables.
 
Guide 11 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Transport Premises and Facilities

Guide 11 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Transport Premises and Facilities

19/06/08
This guide will be for all managers, employers, occupiers and owners of transport premises and facilities.
 
Guide 10 Healthcare premises

Guide 10 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Healthcare premises

18/06/08
This guide is for all employers, managers, occupiers and owners of premises providing healthcare (including private healthcare premises).
 
Guide 9 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Open Air Events and Venues

Guide 9 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Open Air Events and Venues

17/06/08
This guide will be for all employers, managers and persons responsible for outdoor events and venues.
 
Guide 8 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Theatres, Cinemas and Similar Premises

Guide 8 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Theatres, Cinemas and Similar Premises

16/06/08
This guide is for employers, managers, occupiers and owners both professional and amateur of premises where the main or part use of the building is a theatre, cinema or multi-screen cinema or a combination of these.
 
Large Places of Assembly.

Guide 7 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Large Places of Assembly

15/06/08
Guidance for all employers, managers, occupiers and owners of large places of assembly i.e. where more than 300 people could gather.
 
Educational premises

Guide 6 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Small and medium places of assembly

14/06/08
This guide is for all employers, managers, occupiers and owners of small and medium places of assembly.
 
Educational premises

Guide 5 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Educational Premises

13/06/08
This guide is for all employers, head teachers, governors, vice-chancellors, occupiers and owners of educational premises.
 
Guide 4 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Residential Care Premises

Guide 4 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Residential Care Premises

12/06/08
This guide is for all employers, managers, responsible persons, occupiers, employees and owners of premises where the main use of the building or part of the building is to provide residential care.
 
Sleeping Accommodation.

Guide 3 Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Sleeping Accommodation

11/06/08
This guide addresses sleeping accommodation for staff, common areas for residents and sleeping, dining or other accommodation for guests/residents.
 
Guide 2 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Factories and Warehouses

Guide 2 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Factories and Warehouses

10/06/08
This guide is for all employers, managers, occupiers and owners of premises where the main use of the building or part of the building is a factory or warehouse.
 
Offices and Shops.

Guide 1 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment Offices and Shops

09/06/08
A guide 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.