Enforcing the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The Regulatory Reform Order was made under the Regulatory Reform Act 2001 to suit modern business needs better, regulating fire safety only where necessary. It mandates that anyone who has a level of control in premises must take reasonable precautions to reduce the risk of fire, and to make sure that people can safely escape in the case of a fire.

The Fire Safety Order is a fire risk assessment-based approach where the responsible person for the premises must decide how to address the risks identified, while meeting certain basic requirements.

There have been recent changes to fire safety legislation. Please see the recent changes to legislation page for the latest information.

What are the rules?

By adopting a fire risk assessment approach, the responsible person will need to identify how to prevent fire from occurring in the first place by removing or reducing hazards and risks (ignition sources). The responsible person will then look at the precautions that need to be taken to ensure that people are adequately protected if a fire was to occur.

The fire risk assessment must also take into consideration the effect a fire may have on anyone in or around your premises (including neighbouring properties) and will need to be kept under regular review. The building fire risk assessment concentrates on the following areas:

  • Elimination or reduction of risks (ignition sources);

  • Suitable means of detecting and raising the alarm in the event of fire;

  • Adequate emergency escape routes and exits;

  • Adequate fire compartmentation (fire and smoke spread and the protection of escape routes);

  • The appropriate type and sufficient quantities of fire extinguishers;

  • Correct type and sufficient quantities of fire signs and notices;

  • Provisions for the correct maintenance of installed fire equipment;

  • Suitable provisions for the protection of Fire Brigade personnel;

  • To ensure that occupants receive the appropriate instructions and training.

Who enforces the order?

The Lancashire Combined Fire Authority enforces all fire-safety legislation, with resources targeted at premises deemed to be high risk.

To ensure that the correct level of fire safety is adhered to, you will be provided with practical advice or a formal notice if you do not meet the order. Inspectors can take action if they think your fire safety measures aren’t adequate. For example, they might issue an informal notice which will suggest that you consider additional measures to make your premises safer. They could also give you a formal fire safety notice if your premises is not up to the required standard. Within this notice it would tell you what is required to fix the issues identified.

Guidance on enforcement and sanctions for non-compliance

This UK Government guidance (opens in a new tab) explains how fire and rescue services should regulate fire safety legislation and also explains the consequences for responsible persons of non-compliance with fire safety legislation.

Alterations notice

You could get an alterations notice if your premises have high safety risks or will have high safety risks if the use of the premises changes.

Enforcement notice

You could be given an enforcement notice if the fire and rescue authority finds a serious risk that is not being managed. The enforcement will tell you what improvements are required and by when.

Prohibition notice

These take effect immediately if the fire and rescue authority thinks the fire risk is so great that access to your premises needs to be prohibited or restricted.

Appeals

You may be able to arrange an informal review from your fire and rescue authority if you disagree with the decision to issue a fire safety notice.

You can appeal to your local magistrates’ court within 21 days of receiving a notice.

In certain circumstances, you and the fire and rescue authority can ask for a ‘determination’ from the Communities Secretary to resolve a dispute.

Enforcement register

The Enforcement Register has been moved to a new location and can be found online. At present, historical records have not yet been moved to the new Register and can be viewed on the CFOA website. It is not currently possible to update the historical records. Therefore, if you have an enquiry about enforcement action taken by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, please contact us via email at protectionsupport@lancsfirerescue.org.uk.

Penalties

You could be fined or go to prison if you don’t follow fire safety regulations. Minor penalties can be up to £5,000. Major penalties can have unlimited fines and up to 2 years in prison.

How we do things

Fire inspection forms the basis of our protection programme designed to reduce the risk and impact of fire upon communities, businesses, heritage sites and our environment, and safeguard firefighters who respond to incidents involving them.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service has a statutory duty for enforcing The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in most premises within Lancashire. Our inspection officers visit non-domestic properties to inspect their protection systems, and carry out assessments of workplaces, processes and associated risks.

Non-domestic properties include, for example: hospitals, schools and colleges, public buildings, commercial and industrial premises, places of worship, shops, offices, animal premises and stables.

Our inspection programme is supported by the following roles:

Business Safety Adviser – trained to Level 3 diploma standard. These advisers visit premises to inform the owner/manager about fire safety provision and also conduct fire safety audits of lower risk and less complex premises.

Fire Safety Inspector – trained to Level 4 diploma standard. Inspectors will visit premises, carry out fire safety audits, comment on building regulations applications and make reports based on their findings.

Fire Safety Team Leader – trained to Level 4 diploma standard and then further developed to Level 5 diploma. Our team leaders provide day-to-day management of the Business Safety Advisers and Fire Safety Inspectors. They are also the first point of contact with more complex premises.

Fire Safety Station Manager – trained to Level 4 diploma standard and then further developed to Level 5 diploma. Our Station Managers provide management to our area based team leaders and to our specialist support team.

Fire Safety Group Manager – trained to Level 4 diploma standard and then further developed to Level 5 diploma. Our Group Manager provides strategic management support to both our station managers and represents the Service on a regional and national level for fire safety related matters.

Being able to work on their own initiative and communicate effectively with co-workers, community members, landlords and other agencies are important skills, as is producing good quality information and reports.

The documents below outline our vision and system of work.