Legislation and guidance for business

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into effect in October 2006 and replaced over 70 pieces of fire safety law.

The Order applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including offices, shops, premises that provide care such as care homes and hospitals, community halls, places of worship, pubs/clubs/restaurants, schools, sports centres, hotels, hostels, factories, warehouses and the common parts of blocks of flats or 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

Under the Order, the responsible person must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan.

The Authority is responsible for enforcing the Order and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service carries out fire safety inspection work on behalf of the Authority.

The order is enforced through periodic inspections or audits of non-domestic premises by the Fire Service. If we consider that the responsible person has failed to comply with any provision of the order, we may consider taking further action.

RRO Guidance Documents

The following documents and links provide guidance to ensure you comply with the requirements of the Act.

• Visit the gov.uk website page for business, where you may download the RR(FS)O legislative documents for various types of premises. 
• View General Fire safety Guidance on Gov.uk
• Download Brief risk assessment pro forma
• Visit the government website to see a short guide to making your premises safe from fire
• Download a Fire Safety Log Book 
• Visit the government website to see their Do you have paying guests?  guidance.  This guidance for owners of bed and breakfasts, guest houses and self catering properties about making their premises safe from fire.
• Download a Guide to Choosing a competent Fire Risk Assessor 

For Landlords

• Visit the government website to view Fire Safety Risk Assessment Sleeping Accommodation
• View LACORS national guidance notes National guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing.
• View the Local Government Association Fire Safety in Purpose Built Flats Guidance
• See a copy of the Housing Act on the government legislation page
• Visit the government webpage on Housing Health and Safety Rating System
• Visit the Government website to view the Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide alarms Guidance Booklet for Landlords

Other Documents

• Download the Coroners Report Fire Safety for Purpose built block of flats.
• Visit the government website to see Model Standards 2008 for Caravan Sites in England 
• Download guidance on the Storage of fireworks in retail premises 
• Download a copy of Making your premises safe from fire in Chinese
• Download a copy of Making your premises safe from fire inTurkish
• Visit the National Fire Chiefs Council website for Event Safety Documentation which provides guidance  for any outdoor event, festival, mass gathering etc.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Guidance Documents

View Our Fire Safety Advice - Washing procedures for towels used in the hospitality industry

View our Fire Safety Advice- Restaurant, fast food and takeway

View our Fire Safety Advice-Evacuation in residential care homes

View our Fire safety Advice- Fire extinguisher maintenance

View our Fire Safety Advice -Emergency lighting maintenance

View our Fire Safety Advice-Fire detection and alarm maintenance