The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, known as the FSO or RRO, replaced over 70 pieces of fire safety law and came into force in 2006. This determines the requirements for fire door regulations in existing flats and buildings.
The responsibility for fire risk assessments in all non-domestic buildings including the common parts of flats and houses of multiple occupation, falls to the ‘responsible person’.
Under the FSO/RRO, the responsible person must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan. Further information on carrying out a risk assessment is available here.
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
- providing accommodation for paying guests
Additional information on fire door safety and roles and responsibility can be found here.
Fire doors play a major role in the fire safety and protection of all buildings covered by the FSO/RRO, so it is important that fire doors are correctly inspected and maintained to ensure compliance.
Failure to do so can place property and lives at risk and is likely to result in a criminal prosecution.