The Fire Safety Order and Your Business

What fire safety law applies to workplaces?

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, commonly known as the Fire Safety Order, is the main fire safety law for workplaces in England and Wales. It also applies to the common parts of buildings containing two or more homes. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate fire safety legislation. Read the Fire Safety Order guidance, Scottish Government guidance or Northern Ireland business fire safety guidance.

Who is responsible for fire safety in the workplace?

The Responsible Person is usually the employer in a workplace. A landlord, occupier or managing agent may also have duties depending on what they control. In a shared building, each Responsible Person must cooperate and coordinate with the others. For example, an office tenant and landlord may need to agree how shared escape routes are kept clear and how occupants are alerted in an emergency. Read the GOV.UK guidance on who is responsible.

Do small businesses need a written fire risk assessment?

Yes. Since 1 October 2023, the Responsible Person for premises covered by the Fire Safety Order must record the full fire risk assessment, including all its findings, and the fire safety arrangements. This applies even if the business has fewer than five employees. Read the updated duties for England and Wales.

What should a workplace fire risk assessment cover?

A fire risk assessment should identify how a fire could start, who could be harmed and what measures are needed to reduce the risk. It should reflect how the premises are actually used, including who is on site and how they would get out.

• Fire hazards. Consider ignition sources such as cooking equipment and electrical equipment, alongside combustible stock, packaging and flammable substances.
• People at risk. Include staff, visitors and contractors, as well as people working alone or anyone who may need assistance to evacuate.
• Fire precautions. Check whether detection and warning systems, escape routes, emergency lighting, firefighting equipment and measures to limit fire spread are suitable for the premises.
• Emergency arrangements. Set out how people will raise the alarm, leave safely and reach the assembly point. Plan any evacuation assistance in advance.

Review the assessment regularly and revisit it when changes to the layout, occupancy, equipment or working practices could affect the findings. If you lack the expertise to assess the premises, seek help from a competent fire risk assessor. Read the GOV.UK guide to fire risk assessments.

What fire safety training do staff need?

Train new starters on how to raise the alarm, which escape routes to use and where to assemble. Update staff when risks or procedures change, and give people with specific duties, such as fire wardens, training for their role. The number of people needed to help with evacuation should reflect the premises, staffing and shift patterns.

GOV.UK recommends carrying out at least one fire drill a year and recording the results. Use each drill to check that people understand the procedure and that any planned evacuation assistance works in practice. Read the guidance on fire safety equipment, drills and training.

Does every workplace need fire curtains?

Fire curtains help limit the spread of fire by closing off openings that need to stay clear during everyday use. In a workplace, they can be used around atriums, across reception openings or in front of lift entrances. The curtain stays concealed during normal operation and deploys when triggered, forming a fire resisting barrier across the opening. Depending on where it’s installed and how it’s specified, a fire curtain can help maintain fire compartmentation or protect an escape route as part of the building’s fire strategy.

The curtain’s performance, its location and how it affects escape routes all need to be considered as part of the building’s fire strategy. Once installed, the system needs regular inspection, testing and maintenance. Explore Coopers Fire curtain servicing.

If you’re specifying a fire curtain or reviewing an existing installation, our technical team can help you discuss the application, required performance and supporting test evidence. Speak to Coopers Fire.