The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 covers nearly every type of building, structure and open space except for private homes and individual flats in a block or house, although communal areas will be affected.
The responsibility for fire safety lies with employers, self-employed people with premises, voluntary organisations, those responsible for buildings with public access and any contractor who exercises a degree of control over any premises.
These responsible persons will have a duty to ensure the safety of everyone who uses their premises and those in the immediate vicinity who may be at risk if there is a fire.
Principally safety is achieved through as suitable and sufficient fire based risk assessment and by the implementation of adequate fire safety arrangements.
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has already targeted 1.6 million premises to receive an "entry-level" leaflet explaining the main changes and what needs to be done to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It's called A short guide to making your premises safe from fire and you can download a PDF of it HERE
It is also available in Chinese, Gujarati, Turkish, Urdu and Welsh - please click HERE
As well as this entry-level guide, a series of 13 more detailed guidance leaflets is available below to help people preparing fire risk assessments.
See also Keep Your Business in Business and Keep Your School in Business.
Offices and shops
Factories and warehouses
Premises providing sleeping accommodation
Residential care premises
Educational premises
Small and medium places of assembly
Large places of assembly
Theatres, cinemas and similar places
Open air events and venues
Healthcare premises
Transport premises and facilities
Animal premises and stables
Means of escape for disabled people
The guidance documents are available to download free of charge above and at https://www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities/fire-safety-advice-documents
If more complex guidance is required, the responsible person must engage the services of competent fire safety assistance.
Click here to complete a self assessment of your compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Fire Safety matters that concern domestic areas not covered by the Fire Safety Order are dealt with by Community Safety - Prevention.