What's Changed?

The RRO removes the requirement for a fire certificate, and fire services will check fire risk assessments now that the RRO has come into force. The RRO applies to a wide range of premises, with a "workplace" defined as all areas of the premises including access roads (other than public roads). It does not apply to single occupancy dwellings, but does apply to shared areas of communal buildings, such as staircases and landings of a block of flats and offices.

Fire risk assessments have been required for some time under the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 (as amended) and many premises were required to obtain a fire certificate from the fire service under the Fire Precautions Act 1971. Under the RRO, the Fire & Rescue Services now have inspection and enforcement responsibility.

The RRO firmly places a responsibility on the responsible person and outlines all the measures that must be taken to ensure that safety of all the people he/she is either directly or indirectly responsible for. It requires the responsible person to ensure the completion of a fire risk assessment and to take suitable steps to remove or reduce fire hazards.