Fire safety and fire risk assessments are a highly important matter – one that must be taken seriously, and with great responsibility.

Today we are going to discuss all things related to fire safety, including the Fire Safety Order 2005, such as what it is, where it applies, and who is responsible. We will also discuss the latest Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and what they entail. 

At Saxon Safety, we can provide competent advice & consultation in order to help you carry out your duties, as defined in the Fire Safety Order 2005. We’ll also be discussing why you should choose us for all your fire risk assessment needs. 

What is the Fire Safety Order 2005? 

As defined by the Chief Fire Officers’ Association, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is as follows: 

“It replaces most fire safety legislation with one simple order. It means that any person who has some level of control in premises must take reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire and make sure people can safely escape if there is a fire” (Source: Chief Fire Officers’ Association) 

What are the main rules? 

Under the Fire Safety Order 2005, you must ensure the following: 

  • Carry out a fire risk assessment, identifying any potential risks and dangers
  • Consider who may be at risk
  • Get rid of or reduce potential risks as far as possible, and provide general fire precautions 
  • Take the necessary measures to ensure protection from flammable or explosive materials 
  • Create a plan to deal with any emergency and record your findings 
  • Review your findings when necessary 

In terms of where the Fire Safety Order 2005 applies, the short answer is that it applies virtually everywhere! However, it does not apply to people’s private homes and property, including individual flats in a block, or a house. 

What are the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022? 

These regulations have been introduced under article 24 of the Fire Safety Order 2005, following the recommendations made to the government regarding the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 report. 

These new regulations place new legal requirements on the responsible persons, including: 

  • “Responsible persons of high-rise flats must provide information to fire and rescue services in order to assist with the planning of effective operational response 
  • Additional safety measures must be provided by responsible persons in multi-occupied residential buildings which are high-rise and those above 11 metres 
  • Responsible persons of all multi-occupied residential premises must provide residents with fire safety information and instructions about fire doors” (Source: The Institution of Fire Engineers) 

What do fire risk assessments consist of? 

A fire risk assessment consists of five steps, and should be reviewed regularly: 

  1. Identify fire hazards 
  2. Identify people at risk 
  3. Evaluate, remove or reduce, and protect from risk 
  4. Record, plan, inform, instruct, and train 
  5. Review 

Who is the responsible person? 

This is where our role at Saxon Safety is most prevalent, and most helpful. When it comes to conducting a fire risk assessment, we can provide competent advice and consultation to the responsible person in order to help them carry out their duties, as defined in the Fire Safety Order 2005. 

The responsible person is defined as: 

  1. In relation to a workplace, the employer, if the workplace is to any extent under his control; 
  2. In relation to any premises not falling within paragraph (a) – 

i) The person who has control of the premises (as occupier or otherwise) in connection with the carrying on by him of a trade, business or other undertaking (for profit or not); or

ii) The owner, where the person in control of the premises does not have control in connection with the carrying on by that person of a trade, business or other undertaking

Why choose Saxon Safety? 

After reviewing all of this information, we understand that it can get quite confusing and overwhelming. As this is such a serious topic, it is essential to get the right person to do the job. 

If you’re looking for a fire risk assessor, get in touch as Saxon Safety can provide advice and consultation to help you carry out your duties!