The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The FSO and your building 

The FSO applies to: 

• All premises, particularly 'all workplaces and the common parts of buildings containing 2 or more domestic premises' 
• The 'common parts (communal corridors and stairways) of blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation'  
• The 'building's structure, external walls (including widows, balconies, and other attachments), and any common parts. The common parts include plant rooms, communal rooms, and doors (including doors between the dwelling and the common parts)' 

What the FSO does not apply to: 

• The only premises the FSO does not apply to are single residential dwellings such as houses, flats and bungalows. In multi-dwelling premises this means it is only the individual flats that the FSO does not apply to  

Learn more about the FSO in GOV.UK's guide for persons with duties under fire safety legislation.

What the responsible person must do

Whatever type of workplace or premises you have, the FSO requires the person in control of the premises - the responsible person (RP) - to do certain things. These will depend on the type of premises - for example, the requirements for an RP for a factory may differ to those for an RP for a hotel. 

In general, RPs must: 

• Carry out a fire risk assessment and keep it up to date  
• Put fire safety precautions in place 
• Make sure there are means of escape in case of a fire 
• Ensure that all aspects of fire safety are addressed, for example emergency escape lighting, signs and notices, fire alarm systems, firefighting equipment and systems, and more 

To learn about the specific requirements for your type of premises, visit Choose your business type.