Fire Safety EU Guidance Regulations
Fire safety law and guidance documents for business
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) came into effect in October 2006 and replaced over 70 pieces of fire safety law.
The FSO applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including the common parts of blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). The law applies to you if you are:
- responsible for business premises
- an employer or self-employed with business premises
- responsible for a part of a dwelling where that part is solely used for business purposes
- a charity or voluntary organisation
- a contractor with a degree of control over any premises
- providing accommodation for paying guests
Under the FSO, the responsible person must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan. Further information on what you need to do when carrying out a risk assessment is available in the 5-step fire risk assessment checklist below.
In addition, more detailed advice and guidance on the implementation of a fire risk management plan can be found in the series of guidance documents available below or on the Fire Gateway website (see link on right). The more technical guidance documents have been produced with specific types of business premises in mind.
If, having completed a fire risk assessment, you need more practical advice or information, you local Fire and Rescue Authority may be able to help. You may feel more comfortable employing a fire safety specialist to help you. Companies providing fire safety services are listed in local directories. Details of companies which are members of a registered scheme are available, for example on the Institution of Fire Engineers website: www.ife.org.uk/frr (external link). Alternatively you may be able to ask your insurer for a recommendation.
If you require information in Welsh please visit: www.cymru.gov.uk/tan / www.wales.gov.uk/fire (external links).
Download/order the guides
Click on the guide titles below for information on how to download or order hard copies of each guide.
In this section
- About the guides - introduction and checklist
- Frequently asked questions
- Information for providers of small-scale accommodation
- Determinations under the Fire Safety Order
Related downloads
- Fire Risk Assessment form
MS Word, 33 kb
Do you need help viewing file formats?
Related publications
-
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - A short guide to making your premises safe from fire
- Published: 5 June 2006
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Offices and Shops
- Published: 5 June 2006
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Factories and Warehouses
- Published: 5 June 2006
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Sleeping Accommodation
- Published: 5 June 2006
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Residential Care Premises
- Published: 26 July 2006
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Educational Premises
- Published: 5 June 2006
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Small and Medium Places of Assembly
- Published: 5 June 2006
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Large Places of Assembly
- Published: 5 June 2006
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Theatres, Cinemas and Similar Premises
- Published: 8 June 2006
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Open Air Events and Venues
- Published: 8 March 2007
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Healthcare premises
- Published: 25 September 2006
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Transport Premises and Facilities
- Published: 12 February 2007
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Animal Premises and Stables
- Published: 23 October 2007
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Fire Safety Risk Assessment - Means of Escape for Disabled People (Supplementary Guide)
- Published: 29 March 2007
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Guidance Note No. 1: Enforcement
- Published: 23 October 2007
- Site: Fire and resilience
-
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Guidance Note No. 2: Determination of Disputes by the Secretary of State
- Published: 23 October 2007
- Site: Fire and resilience

