The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Key Points
- Applicable to buildings other than dwellings (and dwellings where a room is rented out).
- Through the use of a risk assessment, the RRFSO requires all fire hazards in a building to be identified and appropriate measures taken to reduce these risks
- Places responsibility on designers/contractors to communicate any fire risks to building owners/managers
- RRFSO is relevant both during construction and occupation
- Those failing to abide by RRFSO may be criminally prosecuted
RRFSO requires building owners and employers to conduct comprehensive assessments to identify potential fire risks, and take necessary measures to reduce or eliminate those risks. Designers, specifiers and contractors therefore play a pivotal role in communicating all elements of the design that may affect the fire risk assessment.
In order to accomplish effective risk assessment, designers and specifiers must ensure they have sufficient information regarding the expected performance of the materials used in the construction, when exposed to fire, to pass on to owners and employers. This method of shared ownership for identifying fire hazards underlines a drive to make all parties more accountable for fire safety.
In the event of a fire, failure to disclose accurate information regarding fire risk could invalidate insurance and lead to damages being pursued. In the event of a fire that puts someone at the risk of death or serious personal injury, the RRFSO clearly states that individuals may face criminal prosecution if they did not make a suitable or sufficient fire assessment.
