Who Enforces Fire Legislation?

To be in charge of fire safety means providing a comprehensive, transparent picture of the state of a building and whether all necessary precautions were taken to prevent fire. This blog is intended to serve as an overview, detailing who is responsible for fire safety in a structure, and we’ll clarify the authorities’ rights to enforce fire safety laws.

What is the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order?

The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order is a piece of legislation that covers general fire safety in non-domestic buildings and structures. It was brought into effect on the 1st of October, 2006 and replaces the Fire Precautions Act 1971. The order applies to all commercial buildings, such as:

• Offices
• Shops
• Theatres
• Warehouses
• Factories

It also includes any premises where members of the public gather, like:

• Bars
• Clubs
• Restaurants

Under the RRSO, the “responsible person” must carry out a fire risk assessment and implement adequate and proportionate fire safety measures.

The “responsible person” is typically the employer, building owner or any person who has control over the premises, like a Facilities Manager. If there is more than one responsible person in a building, they must cooperate with each other and share information about fire safety.

For more information on the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order – check out our blog here.

Who Enforces the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order?

The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order is enforced primarily by the local Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA). However, in some cases, other bodies may enforce fire safety rules, such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the Secretary of State for Defence’s fire service. If you don’t know where your FRA is situated, you can either contact your nearest fire department or go to the National Fire Chief’s Council website.

Inspectors from the FRA, are licensed to carry out the following in order to enforce the Regulatory Fire and Safety Order:

• Identifying and obtaining the cooperation of those in charge of maintaining fire safety procedures, as well as identifying and resolving any problems encountered.
• Evaluating whether the premises is in complete compliance with all of the necessary regulations established by the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order. If needed, they may inquire into any required records or plans, such as reports relating to the most recent Fire Risk Assessment (FRA).
• Inspectors can take samples of materials from businesses to determine their safety and flammability. If tests reveal any materials to be hazardous, inspectors can request them to be removed, destroyed, or investigated further.

Who is Responsible for Fire Safety?

Those in charge of a business’s premises are responsible for fire safety. The duty falls on the employer if the location is a workplace or office space. As a result, employers must complete an accurate Fire Risk Assessment.

However, certain commercial property leases do require that the landlord be responsible for common spaces (such as stairwells and reception areas). To ensure that they are aware of their duties as commercial property owners, landlords should contact specialist landlord solicitors.

In addition, landlords are responsible for ensuring proper fire safety in residential structures, including Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) and flats. Here are some instances of landlord-imposed fire safety measures:

Smoke Alarms

Landlords are required by law to install and maintain smoke alarms on every floor of a building. Furthermore, any space containing a solid fuel-burning device (such as a wood stove or coal fire) must be monitored using a carbon monoxide detector. Alarms should be tested at the start of each new tenancy.

Fire Doors

Fire doors must also be installed in flats, corridors, and stairwells. Although these doors must be ‘self-closing’, it is critical that they do not slam shut since this can cause them to jam open. Any equipment used to keep the fire doors closed must also be inspected for damage, deterioration, or indications of tampering.

Passive Fire Protection

Landlords are responsible for ensuring that walls, floors, and cavity barriers are fire stopped appropriately. This includes being aware of any external contractors who may have conducted compartment breaches, such as electricians or plumbers. Because any breaches can make fire stopping methods ineffective, landlords must be vigilant in detecting signs of damage or wear and tear.

At Ark Fire Protection, we offer a comprehensive range of services to make sure your property is compliant with the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order. These include the installation of fire stopping, fire doors, external fire barriers, fire curtains and fire rated partitions. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you protect your premises.