Fire safety, kept simple
Every workplace needs someone responsible for fire safety and a suitable fire risk assessment. Here's what that involves, and what changed in 2023.
- the duty to assess
- Art. 9
- the duty to assess
- steps to a fire risk assessment
- 5
- steps to a fire risk assessment
- everyone must now record it
- 2023
- everyone must now record it
The law
In England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 puts duties on the 'responsible person' for any non-domestic premises.
“The responsible person must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to which relevant persons are exposed for the purpose of identifying the general fire precautions he needs to take to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed on him by or under this Order.”
In plain EnglishWhoever controls the premises has to work out the fire risks and put the right precautions in place: detection, escape routes, firefighting equipment, training and so on.
The employer
If the workplace is under your control to any extent.
The person in control
For premises that aren't a workplace, such as the common parts of flats.
The owner or manager
Often the landlord or managing agent, where nobody else is in control.
How fires start
A fire needs three things: heat, fuel and oxygen. Take one away and it can't start or keep burning. A fire risk assessment looks for where they could meet.
Sources of ignition
Hot works, heaters, cooking, faulty electrics, smoking, arson.
Sources of fuel
Waste, packaging, flammable liquids, gas cylinders, furniture, timber, insulation.
Sources of oxygen
Natural airflow and ventilation, oxygen cylinders, oxidising chemicals.
Fire risk assessment
Government guidance sets out five steps. Like any risk assessment, it's a cycle you keep coming back to.
- 1
Identify fire hazards
Sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen.
- 2
Identify people at risk
Staff, visitors, lone workers, and anyone who'd struggle to get out quickly.
- 3
Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect
Cut the risks, then make sure there's detection, warning, escape routes, lighting and firefighting kit.
- 4
Record, plan, inform, instruct and train
Write down findings and an emergency plan, and train people in it.
- 5
Review
Regularly, and after any change to the building, the work or the people.
What changed in 2023
From 1 October 2023, changes made under the Building Safety Act 2022 tightened the Fire Safety Order for all premises it covers.
- Every responsible person must record the full fire risk assessment, whatever the size of business
- Your fire safety arrangements must be recorded too
- If someone does the assessment for you, record their name or organisation
- Responsible persons sharing a building must cooperate and share information
- Higher fines for some offences, with no upper limit for certain ones
- Fire safety information must be given to residents in buildings with two or more homes
Hot works
Soldering, brazing, welding and cutting cause a large share of fires on refurbishment jobs. A simple, consistent system prevents most of them.
- Ask first: can it be done without heat, using push-fit or a cold method?
- Use a hot works permit, even on domestic jobs
- Clear or protect anything combustible, including what's behind the wall or under the floor
- Keep a suitable extinguisher within reach
- Keep a fire watch after the work finishes. Check your insurer's requirement, often 60 minutes or more
- Check the area again before you leave site
Choosing extinguishers
Extinguishers are red, with a coloured band showing the type. Using the wrong one can make a fire worse.
Quick check
Since October 2023, which businesses must record their fire risk assessment?
How we help
As your competent person, this is part of your package or available as an add-on.
Fire risk assessments
Clear, recorded assessments that meet the 2023 requirements, with a prioritised action plan.
Emergency plans
Evacuation and emergency arrangements written for your building and your people.
Hot works systems
A simple permit system that works on commercial sites and in people's homes.
Fire warden training
Practical training so your team knows what to do, and what not to do.
Guidance reviewed October 2026. A plain-English summary of the law in England, Scotland and Wales, not legal advice. Always check the full text on legislation.gov.uk and the latest HSE guidance.
Is your fire risk assessment recorded?
Since 2023 every responsible person must have it in writing. Our clients can add a fire risk assessment to their package at any time.
- Same consultant every time
- Software included
- Fixed monthly fee