who-needs-a-fire-risk-assessment-in-england-and-wales
--- title: Who Needs a fire safety, the duty to carry out and maintain a fire risk assessment falls on the responsible person**. This applies across nearly all non-domestic premises, including workplaces, commercial buildings, and shared areas of multi-occupied residential buildings.
Who is the responsible person?
Under Article 3 of the RRO 2005, the responsible person is typically the employer, the owner, or the person with control of the premises. If you are the employer, you hold this responsibility for the areas your staff operate in. If you own a building but lease it out, or if you manage a commercial property on behalf of a landlord, you are likely the responsible person for the communal areas.
The law requires the responsible person to take general fire precautions to protect relevant persons—meaning anyone who is lawfully on the premises, including employees, customers, and visitors.
Premises that require a fire risk assessment
The RRO 2005 applies to almost all non-domestic premises. If your building falls into any of the following categories, a fire risk assessment is mandatory:
- Workplaces and commercial premises: offices, shops, restaurants, pubs, and hotels.
- Industrial and storage facilities: Factories, PAS 79** also reinforce the broader duty of employers to manage risks to the health and safety of their employees and the public. While the RRO 2005 is the primary legislation for fire safety, these statutes underpin the overall requirement for safe premises management.
How HawkSwift can help
At HawkSwift Ltd, our NEBOSH-qualified assessors provide thorough, practical fire risk assessments tailored to your premises. We deliver clear, actionable reports within 48 hours, with assessments starting from £199 + VAT. To ensure your building meets the requirements of the RRO 2005, book a fire risk assessment with our team today.
*This article is general guidance and not formal legal advice.*
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Your duties under the RRO 2005 in Wales
- Wales is consulted on and adopts equivalents to the English RRO 2005 duties.
- The Fire Safety (Wales) Regulations continue the Responsible Person model.
- Check current Welsh Government guidance for any Wales-specific duties.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a written fire risk assessment? Yes, if you employ 5+ people, are a licensable or higher-risk premises, or the building is not a private home (Art. 9). How often should I review it? At least annually and immediately after any significant change. Can I do my own? Only if you are competent; many use a qualified NEBOSH-assessed assessor for a court-defensible report. Where do I start? Book a HawkSwift assessment — general guidance, not formal legal advice.
*General guidance, not formal legal advice — book a HawkSwift assessment for your premises.*
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