The Fire Safety Order 2005
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is the main fire-safety law for non-domestic premises in England and Wales. It places a legal duty on the Responsible Person to carry out and maintain a fire risk assessment and put suitable fire precautions in place.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Who it applies to
It applies to virtually all non-domestic premises — workplaces, commercial buildings, premises the public can access, and the common parts of multi-occupied residential buildings. There is no size threshold: the duty applies from the smallest unit upwards.
The Responsible Person’s duties
- ·Carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment
- ·Keep it up to date and under review
- ·Put in place and maintain appropriate fire precautions
- ·Provide information, instruction and training to staff
- ·Plan for an emergency and record the significant findings
Penalties for non-compliance
Failing to comply is a criminal offence. Penalties range from informal and formal enforcement notices to unlimited fines and up to two years’ imprisonment. A serious risk can lead to a prohibition notice closing the premises, and a lack of assessment can invalidate insurance.
Recent reforms
The Fire Safety Act 2021 clarified that external walls and flat entrance doors are in scope for multi-occupied residential buildings, and the Building Safety Act 2022 introduced tougher duties and a Building Safety Regulator for higher-risk buildings.