Library · Regulations
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The fire safety law for the common parts of blocks of flats: a responsible person must assess fire risk and take precautions.
What it does
The Fire Safety Order applies to the common parts of multi-occupied residential buildings in England and Wales: corridors, stairs, plant rooms and, since the Fire Safety Act 2021, the structure, external walls and flat entrance doors.
Who is responsible
The responsible person is usually whoever controls the common parts, which for a self-managed block is the freehold, RMC or RTM company. The company stays responsible even if it uses a contractor or agent.
Main duties
- Carry out and regularly review a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, and record it in writing.
- Put in place and maintain fire safety measures: means of escape, fire doors, detection and alarms where needed, emergency lighting and signs.
- Give residents fire safety information.
- Co-operate with other responsible persons and with the fire and rescue service.
Since 2023, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 add specific duties for blocks of flats, depending on height.
Status
In force. Breaches are criminal offences enforced by the fire and rescue service.
Read the official text at legislation.gov.uk
Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary by Freeholdpilot, checked 1 November 2026. This is legal information about the law in England and Wales, not legal advice for your building. For advice, speak to a solicitor.