Responsible person

Every business must appoint an RP. 

Non-domestic buildings include:

• All workplaces and commercial premises
• All premises the public have access to
• The communal areas of multi-occupied residential buildings

These premises must have an RP.  

The RP makes sure that:

• The premises comply with fire safety law
• Fire risk assessments are carried out
• Suitable and sufficient precautions are taken to keep those premises safe for occupants

Who can be a responsible person?

You may be the RP if you are:

• An employer 
• The owner 
• The landlord 
• An occupier 
• Anyone else with control of the premises, for example a facilities manager, building manager, managing agent or risk assessor

The RP can be an individual or an organisation. They may have others to assist them in carrying out duties.

If the employer is: 

• A 'living person' who directly employs people, then they are the RP  
• A limited company who employs people, it is the company that is the RP, and the company is treated as a 'legal person' 

What does the responsible person do 

A responsible person: 

• Ensures a fire risk assessment for the premises is carried out 
• Reviews the fire risk assessment regularly 
• Tells staff (or their representatives) about the risks that have been identified as a result of the assessment 
• Puts in place and maintains appropriate fire safety measures 
• Plans for emergencies 
• Makes sure staff are informed and instructed about fire safety 
• Provides fire safety training 

Additional information the responsible person must be aware of and provide 

As a result of the building safety Act 2022, the RP must also ensure that their fire risk assessment is completed and recorded in full, and provide 

• All the findings and the premises fire safety arrangements in all circumstances  
• Their contact information, and share it with other RPs if there is more than on RP for the premises (and residents where appropriate) 
• Work together with any other RPs in the premises 
• Provide details of fire safety assessors if engaged  
• Outgoing RPs must share information with incoming RPs 

There are additional requirements for RPs for high rise buildings and those containing two or more sets of domestic premises. Visit High rise and responsible person for more information.

For further information about the changes to RP duties as a result of the Building Safety Act visit Responsible person and the Building Safety Act 2022

Guidance for responsible person

If you are seeking information on how to conduct a fire risk assessment for your type of premises, visit Choose your business type and select your premises. Here you will find dedicated guidance for your type of business.  

If you are seeking guidance for high rise properties or those with two or more sets of domestic premises, visit High rise and responsible person for more information.

Fire safety in the workplace

This simple online and printable guide provides an overview of who is responsible, fire risk assessments, fire safety, evacuation plans, equipment drills. training, enforcement and penalties:

Government Guidance Fire safety in the workplace 

Persons with duties under fire safety legislation

This guide for persons with duties under fire safety legislation helps to identify and explain the role of RPs as well as Duty Holders. It contains useful information about fire risk assessments, their review, and what must be considered in an assessment:

A guide for persons with duties under fire safety legislation 

The law and responsible persons 

The law governing fire safety for business and non-domestic premises is the The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, often called the Fire Safety Order (FSO). It applies to all workplaces and the common parts of buildings (for example blocks of flats) with two or more sets of domestic premises. It is the law that requires all businesses to carry out a fire risk assessment. 

The FSO sets out the duties of RPs including the duty to conduct and record a fire risk assessment. To assist RPs in doing this, the FSO ordered that Guidance is made available to assist RPs in carrying out their duties. You can find the Guidance for your type of business by visiting Choose your business type.  

Other recent laws that affect RPs and their duties are the Fire Safety Act, 2021, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and the Building Safety Act 2022. You can find out more about these by visiting Law, guidance and enforcement. If you are an RP for a high rise building or one with two or more sets of domestic premises visit High rise and responsible person.