Who is the Responsible Person?

In workplaces, the employer with any measure of control. Elsewhere, the person in control of the premises in connection with a trade, business or undertaking — or the owner if there is no such person.

How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?

It must be kept under review and revised whenever there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid or there has been a significant change. Most managing agents refresh annually as a minimum.

What is a Type 1 FRA versus Type 4?

Type 1 is a non-destructive assessment of common parts. Types 2 to 4 add destructive inspection and coverage of flats. Type 4 is the most intrusive, typically reserved for post-refurbishment or after a serious concern.

Fire learning hub

Fire Safety

Duty-holder guides for the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Building Safety Act 2022 — from fire risk assessments to enforcement notice response.

In short

The Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order must keep a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, act on its findings, and cooperate with the local Fire and Rescue Authority. Enforcement notices carry unlimited fines and up to two years' imprisonment.

Legal snapshot

What the law says

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: Primary duty on the Responsible Person to assess and manage fire risk.
Fire Safety Act 2021: Confirmed the external walls, flat entrance doors and structure of multi-occupied residential buildings fall within the FSO.
Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022: Duties for high-rise residential: floor plans, wayfinding signage, secure information box.
Building Safety Act 2022: Golden thread of information and the Building Safety Regulator regime for higher-risk buildings.

On the ground

Common problems & fixes

FRA older than 12 months or not fit for purpose
Fix, Commission a Type 1 FRA (or higher where compartmentation is suspect) from an IFE or ARPI-registered assessor.
Fire doors failing quarterly inspection
Fix, Appoint a BM TRADA or FIRAS installer to remediate to BS 8214 and record every door on a schedule.
Fire alarm faults ignored on the log book
Fix, Move detection to a BAFE SP203-1 maintainer with a 4-hour attendance SLA.
Enforcement or Prohibition Notice served
Fix, Track the appeal window, brief the RP, and evidence remediation to the enforcing officer inside the notice period.

Pillar guide21 min read

NFCC Enforcement Notices: 28-Day Timeline & Remediation Guide

How to respond to an NFCC fire safety enforcement notice inside 28 days: legal basis, timeline, remediation steps, contractor selection and consequences.

Read the full guide

All fire guides

1 guide

Cluster guides for this niche are publishing shortly. The pillar guide above covers the full duty-holder journey while we finish the deeper breakdowns.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Who is the Responsible Person?: In workplaces, the employer with any measure of control. Elsewhere, the person in control of the premises in connection with a trade, business or undertaking — or the owner if there is no such person.
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?: It must be kept under review and revised whenever there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid or there has been a significant change. Most managing agents refresh annually as a minimum.
What is a Type 1 FRA versus Type 4?: Type 1 is a non-destructive assessment of common parts. Types 2 to 4 add destructive inspection and coverage of flats. Type 4 is the most intrusive, typically reserved for post-refurbishment or after a serious concern.

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