The UK has clear legal standards in place to make sure every workplace takes fire risk seriously. The main law covering this is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It applies to almost all non-domestic settings including offices, shops, factories, schools, warehouses, care homes, and many more. It also applies to gatherings outside of traditional buildings, for example the setting for a festival.

Who is responsible for enforcing fire safety legislation?

Inspectors from appropriate bodies including the Health and Safety Executive and local fire and rescue services are responsible for enforcing the law, and they have the power to issue improvement notices, close unsafe buildings or events, and prosecute individuals from organisations for serious safety breaches, even when injury has yet to occur.

Who is responsible for fire safety in the workplace?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, fire safety in the workplace becomes the legal duty of a ‘responsible person’. This is usually the employer, owner, landlord, or someone who has control of the premises or setting.

The responsible person must:

• Carry out a fire risk assessment.
• Put in place fire safety measures, test and maintain them.
• Ensure sufficient trained staff are available to handle an emergency.
• Ensure escape routes are signposted, unobstructed, in good condition and appropriately illuminated.

This law requires the organisation, through its responsible person, to be proactive in planning for fire and other emergency events. However, everyone has a part to play in making and keeping the workplace safe.

Other fire safety roles and responsibilities

Fire safety is a shared worker responsibility; not just something for management or maintenance teams to worry about. While there is one legally responsible person, it takes a team effort to make sure a workplace stays safe day to day.

It’s important to stress that training plays a crucial role. Fire marshals for example need extra training so they know how to handle real emergencies, but all staff must be aware what to do if the alarm sounds.

Here’s how the responsibilities usually break down:

• Responsible person - Legally accountable for the building’s fire safety. They make sure the fire risk assessment is done and that systems like alarms, signage, and escape routes are in place and working.
• Fire wardens or fire marshals - Trained staff members who help monitor fire risks, carry out checks, and assist during evacuations.
• Managers and supervisors - Help reinforce safe behaviour, oversee training and drills, and ensure their teams follow fire procedures.
• Other staff - Every employee has a duty to follow fire safety procedures, report hazards, and avoid risky behaviour (like blocking fire exits or tampering with fire equipment).

What can go wrong in an emergency?

In an emergency fire situation, people don’t always behave rationally. Reactions can vary including:

• Ignoring the alarm, thinking it’s a drill or false alarm
• Waiting to see what others do, despite the danger being evident
• Wasting time gathering belongings
• Panicking, and following familiar exit routes, even if those are physically blocked by objects, fire or smoke

Who is responsible for fire safety awareness?

Ultimately - we all are. Making sure that everyone is aware of what to do in an emergency, and has the confidence to act appropriately is vital. One of the best ways to improve human reaction during fires is through education. When people understand the dangers of fire spread and the critical importance of seconds, they are far more likely to act quickly, safely, and effectively. When people are familiar with the alarm sound, know their exits, and have practised what to do, their reactions are usually faster, more predictable and safer.

Build confidence to prevent and respond to workplace fire risks with The Safer Food Group's fire safety awareness course. It provides a clear introduction to how fires start and spread, what to do in an emergency and how to keep your workplace safe. Learners explore legal responsibilities under the Fire Safety Order, understand the correct use of fire extinguishers and learn how to respond calmly and effectively during an evacuation.