Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Fire safety duties for all non-domestic premises
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the Fire Safety Order or FSO) is the primary fire safety legislation for non-domestic premises in England and Wales. It replaced over 70 pieces of previous fire safety legislation with a single regime. The Order places the duty for fire safety on the "responsible person", which is typically the employer, owner, or occupier of the premises. The responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment, implement fire safety measures, and keep the assessment under review. The Fire Safety Act 2021 amended the Order to clarify that it applies to the structure, external walls, and common areas of multi-occupied residential buildings, following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. For hospitality businesses, the Order means you must assess fire risks, maintain fire detection and alarm systems, ensure clear escape routes, provide fire fighting equipment, train staff, and plan for emergency evacuation.
Key Requirements
Fire risk assessment
The responsible person must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment of the premises. This must identify fire hazards, people at risk, evaluate the risk, and record the findings.
Fire safety measures
Implement measures to reduce fire risk, including fire detection and alarm systems, emergency escape routes, fire fighting equipment, emergency lighting, and clear signage.
Maintenance of fire safety systems
All fire safety equipment and systems must be maintained in working order. This includes regular testing of fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, and fire doors.
Emergency plan and procedures
Establish and implement an appropriate emergency plan, including evacuation procedures, assembly points, and arrangements for people who may need assistance evacuating.
Staff training
Provide appropriate fire safety training to all employees when they start work and periodically thereafter. Training must cover fire risks, evacuation procedures, and use of fire equipment.
What Your Business Must Do
Conduct a fire risk assessment
Assess fire hazards in your premises (heat sources, combustible materials), people at risk (staff, customers, vulnerable people), and existing fire safety measures. Document the findings.
Install and maintain fire detection and alarms
Ensure appropriate fire detection and alarm systems are installed. Test fire alarms weekly and have them professionally serviced annually.
Maintain clear escape routes
Keep all escape routes clear of obstructions at all times. Ensure fire exits are unlocked during opening hours and clearly signed.
Provide and maintain fire extinguishers
Install appropriate types and numbers of fire extinguishers. Have them serviced annually and inspected monthly.
Train all staff in fire safety
Provide fire safety induction for all new staff. Conduct regular fire drills (at least annually, ideally twice a year). Train staff on evacuation procedures and fire extinguisher use.
Review the fire risk assessment regularly
Review your fire risk assessment at least annually and whenever there are significant changes to the premises, layout, activities, or staffing.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to carry out a fire risk assessment
An unlimited fine on conviction. The fire authority may also serve an enforcement notice requiring compliance.
Failure to comply with the Order (general)
Up to 2 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment. Summary conviction can result in an unlimited fine.
Placing persons at serious risk of death or serious injury
Up to an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years imprisonment on indictment. The Fire Safety Act 2021 strengthened sentencing for the most serious breaches.
Failure to comply with an enforcement or prohibition notice
Up to 2 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. A prohibition notice can shut down premises until fire safety issues are resolved.
How Paddl Helps
Fire risk assessment templates
Use Paddls risk assessment tools to create, maintain, and review fire risk assessments with structured templates.
Equipment maintenance tracking
Track fire extinguisher servicing, fire alarm testing, emergency lighting checks, and fire door inspections with automated reminders.
Fire safety training records
Log fire safety inductions, training sessions, and fire drill participation for every staff member.
Fire safety routines
Set up weekly fire alarm test routines, monthly extinguisher inspections, and other fire safety checks with staff sign-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the responsible person?
The responsible person is usually the employer (for workplaces), the person who has control of the premises, or the owner. In a restaurant, this is typically the business owner or operator. If you have a managing agent, they may share responsibility.
Do I need a professional to do my fire risk assessment?
The Order does not require you to use a professional fire risk assessor, though it is strongly recommended for complex or high-risk premises. You can carry out the assessment yourself if you are competent to do so, but you are legally responsible for its adequacy.
How often should fire drills be conducted?
The Order does not specify a frequency, but best practice guidance recommends at least one fire drill per year, and ideally every six months. High-risk premises or those with a high staff turnover should drill more frequently.
Does this Order apply in Scotland?
No. Scotland has its own separate legislation: the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The requirements are similar but not identical.
Stay compliant with Fire Safety Order 2005
Paddl makes regulatory compliance simple. Digital records, automated reminders, and audit-ready documentation — all in one platform built for UK hospitality.