MenuFrom October 2023 all businesses need a written fire risk assessment and record of fire safety arrangements
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RR(FS)O) requires that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out. This requirement extends to the common parts of residential blocks of flats as well as more commonly recognised types of non–domestic premises such as shops and offices.
The Fire Safety Act 2021, has clarified that where two or more sets of domestic premises occur in a building, then the RR(FS)O applies. It has also clarified that the order applies to all doors between domestic premises and common parts such as flat entrance doors and the building’s structure and external walls (including windows, balconies, cladding etc)
Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, has amended the RR(FS)O and now from October 2023, all premises to which the order relates require a written fire risk assessment. Previously a written fire risk assessment was only required where your organisation employed five or more people, or your premises were licensed or an alterations notice was in force.
The written fire risk assessment should record the fire risk assessment and the fire safety arrangements in full.
A fire risk assessment should be an organised and methodical look at your premises, undertaken by a competent person who will look at its activities and the likelihood that a fire could occur and cause harm to those in and around your premises.
Our fire risk assessor is a Chartered Surveyor and Member of The Institution of Fire Engineers and has a degree in Building Control Engineering. He is a former Building Fire Safety Inspector for Kent Fire and Rescue Service.
From October 2023, if you do not have a written fire risk assessment, you will be breaking the law.