Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
England-focused reference checklist
Editorial source review: 2026-10-17
https://saeedazarshab.com/articles/england-building-regulations/fire-safety-order-2005/

INDEPENDENT GUIDANCE — not project-specific legal/design advice or a compliance certificate. Check the official current requirements and applicable transition.

The principal fire-safety framework for premises within its scope in England and Wales. It requires responsible persons to assess and manage fire risks and coordinate where duties overlap. This operational regime is separate from demonstrating design compliance under Building Regulations and Approved Document B.

WHAT TO CHECK
[ ] Identify the responsible person and other people with control; record the premises and duties covered.
[ ] Arrange a suitable fire risk assessment and review it when circumstances or risks change.
[ ] Assign and track actions for precautions, escape arrangements, maintenance and occupant information.
[ ] Coordinate with other dutyholders and contractors where risks or shared systems cross boundaries.
[ ] Check current recording, information and cooperation duties introduced by later legislation.

RECORDS TO KEEP
- Fire risk assessment, identified assessor and action-tracking records.
- Maintenance, testing, training and emergency-arrangement records.
- Dutyholder contacts, cooperation records and information given to occupants or incoming managers.

WHEN TO GET SPECIALIST HELP
Get competent fire-safety advice for inadequate precautions or uncertain responsibilities; report an immediate danger through emergency services or the appropriate enforcing authority.

SCOPE AND EDITION
Sources reviewed 17 October 2026. England application of an England-and-Wales Order. Check later legislation, including recording duties and the separate Residential Evacuation Plans Regulations 2025, effective April 2026 for specified buildings. The listed fire instruments are not exhaustive.

OFFICIAL SOURCES
Fire Safety Order 2005 — latest available legislation
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/contents

Responsible persons in England: changes in fire safety legislation
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/responsible-persons-in-england-changes-in-fire-safety-legislation/responsible-persons-in-england-changes-in-fire-safety-legislation

Residential PEEPs: guidance for responsible persons
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/residential-personal-emergency-evacuation-plans-residential-peeps/residential-peeps-guidance-for-responsible-persons

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated. Original practical summary by Saeed Azarshab.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/