Fire Safety FAQs

Fire safety is a set of measures and procedures designed to prevent fires and to make sure that, if a fire starts, people are protected and can escape safely. It includes good housekeeping practices, early detection and warning systems, fire protection measures, clear escape routes, and effective emergency response.

The main legislation is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which is supported by others such as the Building Regulations, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Building Safety Act 2022, and sector-specific regulations and guidance. Together, these form a framework of fire safety law.

Fire safety in England and Wales is primarily covered by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is the main piece of fire safety legislation in England and Wales that places a legal duty on the Responsible Person to assess fire risks and put appropriate fire safety measures in place to protect people in non-domestic premises, including workplaces and the common areas of residential buildings.

Fire safety enforcement is the responsibility of local fire and rescue authorities. They ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales, and equivalent legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

These authorities conduct fire safety inspections, provide guidance, and take enforcement action if necessary.

For certain types of premises, such as those managed by the Crown or military, enforcement may fall to specific government departments or agencies.

The legal requirements for fire safety in the UK are outlined in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales, with similar legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Key requirements include:

• Conducting and maintaining a fire risk assessment for the premises.

• Implementing and maintaining appropriate fire safety measures based on the assessment, such as alarms, extinguishers, and clear evacuation routes.

• Appointing a responsible person to oversee fire safety.

• Providing fire safety training and information to all employees.

• Regularly reviewing fire safety procedures and ensuring compliance with the law.

Failure to meet these requirements can result in legal action, including fines or imprisonment.

Yes, fire drills are a legal requirement in the UK under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Employers and responsible persons must ensure that fire drills are conducted regularly to test the effectiveness of evacuation procedures and familiarise staff with the process.

While the frequency is not strictly defined, it is generally recommended to hold fire drills at least annually, or more often in high-risk premises. Records of drills should be kept as part of the fire safety log.

In the workplace, fire safety legislation is primarily enforced by the local Fire and Rescue Authority, which has the power to inspect premises, issue enforcement or prohibition notices, and take legal action where serious fire safety breaches are found.

The responsible person for fire safety is usually the employer in a workplace, or the person who has control of the premises (such as the owner, occupier, or managing agent). They are legally responsible for carrying out a fire risk assessment and ensuring appropriate fire safety measures are in place to protect people.

The legal position is that it is primarily the Duty Holder or the Responsible Person, which in a workplace is the employer. For premises that are not workplaces it will be the person who has control of the premises as occupier or otherwise or the owner is responsible for fire safety.

It might mean that depending on the extent of control by the afore mentioned parties there will need to be coordination and cooperation to ensure that the requirements of the legislation are met. Once responsibility is established a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment of the risks to which relevant persons are exposed for the purpose of identifying the general fire precautions required to comply with the legislation.

Fire safety awareness is a shared responsibility, but in the workplace, it is primarily the duty of the responsible person to ensure employees receive suitable information, instruction, and training on fire risks, procedures, and evacuation.

Employees also have a responsibility to follow fire safety instructions, take reasonable care, and report fire hazards.

Under fire safety legislation, such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales, employees have a duty to:

• Take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others who may be affected by their actions or inactions.

• Co-operate with their employer to ensure compliance with fire safety measures.

• Follow fire safety procedures, including participating in fire drills and using fire safety equipment only as instructed.

• Report any fire hazards or safety concerns to their employer or the responsible person promptly.

Fires are classified into types based on the fuel involved. In the UK, the main types are:

• Class A: Fires involving solid combustible materials like wood, paper, and fabric.

• Class B: Fires involving flammable liquids, such as petrol, oil, or paint.

• Class C: Fires involving flammable gases, such as propane or butane.

• Class D: Fires involving combustible metals like magnesium, titanium, or aluminium.

• Class F: Fires involving cooking oils or fats, such as in deep fat fryers.

• Electrical Fires: Fires involving electrical equipment; not a formal class but recognised for safety purposes.

Each type requires specific extinguishing methods to be handled safely.

Fire can spread in three primary ways:

• Convection – most common causes of fire spreading in commercial buildings. This is when heat is trapped by the ceiling as the heat rises, and as it can’t escape it spreads in all directions.
• Conduction – the spread of fire by the transmission of heat through materials. Some materials are better conductors of heat, such as metals.
• Radiation – transfers heat via electromagnetic waves in the air.

Good fire safety housekeeping practices help reduce the risk of fire and ensure people can escape safely if a fire occurs, and include:

• Keeping workplaces tidy and free from combustible waste
• Safely storing flammable materials
• Using electrical equipment correctly and switching it off when not in use
• Keeping escape routes and fire exits clear
• Promptly reporting damaged equipment or fire hazards

You should have a plan in place that tells employees what they must do if they discover a fire. It should outline what warning systems are in place, evacuation procedures and routes, and the fire assembly point/s.

There are five common types of fire extinguishers:

• Water – red.
• Dry powder – red body with a blue band.
• Foam – red body with a cream band.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – red body with a black band
• Wet chemical – red body with a yellow band.

Each type can be identified by the text and colours of the label, and in some cases by their hoses.

Although not a “fire extinguisher”, fire blankets can be used to extinguish fires.

How often fire drills should be undertaken is dependent on the type, complexity and occupancy of the premises. Typically an evacuation will need to be undertaken at least once a year.

Assembly points should be clearly signposted, and recorded on fire action notices that are prominently displayed either by the fire alarm call points or strategically located in the building. During employee induction and ongoing training, evacuation procedures and assembly points should be highlighted.

In fire safety, PEEP stands for Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan. It is a tailored plan designed to assist individuals who may require additional support to safely evacuate a building during an emergency, such as those with mobility impairments, visual or hearing disabilities, or other specific needs.

The plan explains the necessary procedures, equipment, and assistance required to ensure their safety.

In fire safety, PASS stands for the four steps to use a fire extinguisher effectively:

1. Pull the pin to break the tamper seal.
2. Aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire.
3. Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
4. Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the fire until it is extinguished.

These steps help ensure safe and effective use of a fire extinguisher in an emergency.

Water should not be used on an electrical fire because it conducts electricity and can increase the risk of electric shock to the person attempting to extinguish the fire. Additionally, using water may cause the fire to spread if it comes into contact with live electrical equipment.

Instead, a CO₂ extinguisher or a dry powder extinguisher should be used, as these are designed to safely tackle electrical fires.

In fire safety, FED most commonly stands for Fire Exit Door, meaning a door specifically designated for use as part of an emergency escape route.

In some contexts (such as plans or risk assessments), it may also be used to mean Final Exit Door, referring to the door that leads directly to a place of safety outside the building.

Compartmentation in fire safety is the practice of dividing a building into fire-resistant sections using walls, floors, ceilings, and fire-resisting doors to slow the spread of fire and smoke, protect escape routes, and give occupants more time to evacuate safely.

It is a legal requirement to provide employees with suitable and sufficient information, instruction, supervision and training in regards to the appropriate fire safety precautions and actions to be taken by the employee in order to safeguard themselves and others.

Yes, fire safety training is mandatory under UK legislation, such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in England and Wales.

Employers are required to provide adequate fire safety training to all employees, ensuring they understand fire risks, prevention measures, evacuation procedures, and the safe use of equipment like fire extinguishers.

Training must be provided at induction, whenever new risks are introduced, and refreshed periodically to ensure ongoing compliance and workplace safety.

Yes, all staff must receive fire safety training as required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Employers must ensure that every employee, regardless of their role, understands fire risks, evacuation procedures, and their responsibilities in the event of a fire.

Training should be provided at induction, whenever risks change, and refreshed periodically to maintain awareness. This ensures that all staff are prepared to act safely during an emergency.

Praxis42 basic fire safety awareness training takes around 30 minutes to complete and covers essential topics like fire prevention, evacuation procedures, and the use of fire extinguishers. Refresher training is usually shorter and should be completed regularly, as recommended by the employer or regulations.

Fire safety training should be conducted at induction for new staff and refreshed periodically, usually every 12 months, to ensure ongoing awareness. Training frequency may depend on the level of risk in the workplace, with high-risk environments requiring more frequent updates.

Additional training should also be provided when new fire risks are introduced, or significant changes are made to the premises or procedures. Regular training helps ensure compliance and workplace safety.