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Advice on Legislation and Guidance: Expert Fire Safety Law Advice from Tower Fire
Fire safety legislation that UK businesses must comply with is more complex, and more frequently updated, than many responsible persons realise. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 remains the foundation, but it has been substantially amended and extended by the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, the Building Safety Act 2022, and most recently the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025.
Tower Fire provides clear, practical guidance on what this legislation means for your organisation. Our team is made up of active and retired professional firefighters who have worked within the fire safety regulatory framework from the inside. We translate complex legal obligations into plain, actionable advice that tells you exactly where you stand and what you need to do.
Fire Safety Legislation Advice
Fire safety law in the UK has changed significantly since the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, and the pace of change has not slowed. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 remains the foundation for all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, but it has been amended and extended by the Fire Safety Act 2021, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, the Building Safety Act 2022, and most recently the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025, which came into force on 6 April 2026.
For many responsible persons, keeping up with what these changes actually require in practice is a genuine challenge. Tower Fire provides clear, plain-English fire safety legislation advice grounded in real operational experience. Our team of active and retired professional firefighters has worked within the regulatory framework from the inside. We translate complex legal obligations into straightforward guidance that tells you exactly where you stand and what you need to do.
Our advice is always honest and impartial. We tell you what the law requires of you, what the enforcement implications are if you fall short, and what practical steps you need to take. No jargon, no unnecessary complexity, and no attempt to oversell services you do not genuinely need.
Who Is the Responsible Person Under Fire Safety Law?
Under the RRFSO 2005, the responsible person is the employer where the premises is a workplace, or the person who has control of the premises in connection with carrying on a trade, business, or other undertaking. In multi-occupied buildings, there may be more than one responsible person, each with duties relating to the areas they control.
The responsible person has a legal duty to ensure all fire safety obligations are met. Non-compliance can result in an improvement notice, enforcement notice, or prohibition notice from the local fire and rescue service. In serious cases, prosecution can lead to an unlimited fine and up to two years’ imprisonment. Understanding fire safety law obligations is therefore not optional for anyone who owns, manages, or controls non-domestic premises.
Key Duties Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order sets out the following core duties for the responsible person. These form the baseline against which fire and rescue services audit compliance.
Carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and review it regularly, or following any significant change
(Article 9)
Record the significant findings of the fire risk assessment in writing (mandatory for all responsible persons from 1 October 2023 under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022)
Implement and maintain appropriate general fire precautions to protect employees and others on the premises (Article 8)
Establish and maintain emergency procedures, including an evacuation plan, and ensure they are communicated to all staff
Provide adequate fire safety training to all staff on induction and at regular intervals, and ensure role-specific training for fire wardens and marshals
Maintain fire safety equipment, systems, and physical measures in efficient working order and good repair
Recent and Upcoming Changes to Fire Safety Law
Fire safety legislation in the UK has changed significantly since the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. Responsible persons who have not reviewed their obligations recently are likely to be unaware of new duties that may already apply to them.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report, published in September 2024, made wide-ranging recommendations for further reform of building and fire safety regulation. The Government’s response, published in December 2024, accepted the majority of recommendations. Further legislative changes are anticipated, making up-to-date knowledge of current fire safety legislation from a qualified adviser more important than ever.
If you are uncertain whether your current fire safety arrangements reflect the most recent legislative requirements, Tower Fire can carry out a review of your obligations and provide a clear, practical assessment of where action is needed.
How Tower Fire Helps You Navigate Fire Safety Law
Our advice on fire safety legislation covers the full range of obligations facing responsible persons, from the core duties under the RRFSO 2005 to the most recent regulatory changes. We provide:
Why Choose Tower Fire for Fire Safety Law Advice?
Every member of our team is an active or retired professional firefighter. We have worked alongside fire safety enforcement officers, responded to the consequences of non-compliance first-hand, and understand what fire and rescue services look for when they audit premises.Our advice is practical and grounded in operational experience. We tell you what fire safety regulations require of you, what the enforcement implications are if you fall short, and what steps you need to take to get your arrangements in order. Clear, honest guidance with no jargon and no unnecessary complexity.
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