Who is legally responsible for fire safety in a workplace?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the "responsible person" — typically the employer, the owner of a building, or whoever has control of the premises — is legally responsible. In shared buildings, each person in control of a separate part is a responsible person for that part. Responsibilities can be delegated but not the legal accountability.

How often should workplace fire drills be carried out?

At least once a year for most workplaces — the RRO 2005 requires staff to be trained and that training to be repeated periodically. High-risk environments, premises with vulnerable occupants (hospitals, care homes), and premises with high staff turnover should conduct drills more frequently — at least twice yearly. Each drill should be recorded, including the evacuation time and any issues identified.

What must be included in a workplace fire risk assessment?

The five steps of a fire risk assessment: 1) Identify fire hazards (ignition, fuel, and oxygen sources); 2) Identify people at risk; 3) Evaluate, remove, reduce, and protect from risk; 4) Record findings, prepare an emergency plan, and provide information and training; 5) Review and update the assessment regularly. Significant findings must be recorded in writing if you employ five or more staff. See our dedicated fire risk assessment guide.

Are fire doors required in offices?

Yes. Escape routes in offices must be protected by fire-resisting construction, including fire doors that are self-closing. The specific requirement depends on the size of the building, the number of occupants, and the fire risk assessment. Fire doors on escape routes must never be wedged open. See our fire door safety guide.

What training must employers give to staff on fire safety?

The RRO 2005 requires the responsible person to provide employees with comprehensible and relevant information on fire risks, fire safety measures, and procedures. In practice this means: induction fire safety briefing; location of alarms, exits, and assembly point; use of extinguishers (for designated staff); fire warden training for designated wardens. Training records must be kept.

Can an employer be prosecuted for fire safety failings?

Yes. The RRO 2005 is enforced by local fire and rescue authorities. Offences include failure to carry out a fire risk assessment, failure to implement reasonable fire safety measures, and obstruction of fire safety inspectors. Penalties include unlimited fines and up to two years' imprisonment. The Building Safety Act 2022 strengthened enforcement further for higher-risk residential buildings.

⚠ Emergency: On discovering a workplace fire — activate the nearest alarm, call 999, evacuate via the nearest exit, report to the assembly point.

Guide — Workplace Fire Safety

Fire Safety in the Workplace

Every non-domestic premises in the UK must have a fire risk assessment, a trained responsible person, and documented emergency procedures. Failure to comply is a criminal offence. This guide explains what employers must do, what staff should know, and how to build a competent workplace fire safety programme.

Legal foundation

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is the primary legislation for all non-domestic premises in England and Wales. It requires the responsible person to carry out a fire risk assessment and act on its findings. Scotland is covered by the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. Both place the legal duty on the person with control of the premises.

Roles and responsibilities in workplace fire safety

Role	Key duties
Responsible person	Conduct or commission a fire risk assessment; implement findings; provide information, instruction and training to staff; ensure fire precautions are maintained
Fire warden / marshal	Carry out fire safety checks; assist evacuation; sweep assigned zones; take roll call at assembly point; liaise with fire service on arrival
All staff	Know the location of fire exits, alarms, and assembly point; report fire hazards; follow evacuation procedures without deviation; not wedge open fire doors
Contractors	Induction to site emergency procedures before starting work; adhere to hot work permit requirements; report any fire safety concerns

The five-step fire risk assessment

Every non-domestic workplace must have a fire risk assessment. If you employ five or more staff, or your premises are licensed, the significant findings must be recorded. The five steps are:

Identify fire hazards — ignition sources (electrical, heat processes, smoking), fuel sources (paper, furniture, flammable liquids), and oxygen sources (HVAC, storage of oxidising agents)
Identify people at risk — staff in isolated areas, cleaners working out of hours, contractors, visitors, people with disabilities
Evaluate, remove, reduce, and protect — eliminate hazards where possible; where not, reduce to tolerable risk and provide appropriate fire precautions
Record, plan, inform, instruct, and train — write the assessment; prepare the emergency plan; train all staff before they work alone
Review and update — after any significant change; after a fire or near miss; at a minimum annually

For a deeper look at the five-step process, attend our Fire Risk Assessment Workshop (May 2027) or see our fire risk assessment guide.

Fire warden duties

Fire wardens (also called fire marshals) are employees designated to assist the responsible person with fire safety. Their duties during an evacuation include checking their assigned areas, directing people to exits, and confirming their zone is clear at the assembly point. They are not expected to fight fires. See our detailed fire warden duties guide for a full breakdown.

Common workplace fire hazards

Electrical: Overloaded sockets, damaged cables, equipment left running overnight
Paper and cardboard: Archives, packaging — high fire load that accelerates spread
Kitchens: Unattended cooking appliances — fit a heat detector, not a smoke alarm
Combustibles near ignition sources: Paper near photocopiers, cleaning materials near boilers
Blocked escape routes: Deliveries in corridors, fire doors wedged open
Hot work: Welding, grinding — requires a hot work permit and fire watch after completion

Extinguishers and the fight-or-flee decision

Staff should not be expected to fight fires unless they are specifically trained and the fire is very small (e.g., a waste bin fire in the open). The correct response for most staff on discovering a fire is to raise the alarm and evacuate. See our fight or flee guide for the framework, and the fire extinguisher types guide for which extinguisher is appropriate for which class of fire.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Fire Safety in the Workplace

Roles and responsibilities in workplace fire safety

The five-step fire risk assessment

Fire warden duties

Common workplace fire hazards

Extinguishers and the fight-or-flee decision

Related guidance

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions