Who Is the Responsible Person Under Fire Safety Law?

Understanding who the Responsible Person is under fire safety law is one of the most important aspects of legal compliance in the UK. The Responsible Person holds overall legal responsibility for fire safety and can be subject to enforcement action, prosecution, and significant penalties if duties are not met.

This guide explains who the Responsible Person is, how the role is defined in law, what duties apply, and how responsibility works in shared or multi-occupied premises.

What Is a Responsible Person Under Fire Safety Law?

In law, the Responsible Person is the person or organisation with control of the premises who is legally accountable for fire safety.

The Responsible Person is the individual or organisation legally responsible for fire safety in a building under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

In simple terms, the Responsible Person is the person who has control of the premises or control of activities carried out there. This role exists to ensure that fire risks are properly assessed, managed, and controlled.

The Responsible Person must ensure that:

• Fire risks are identified and assessed
• Appropriate fire safety measures are in place
• People are protected from the risk of fire

The role applies to most non-domestic premises and to the common parts of residential buildings containing two or more dwellings.

Who Can Be the Responsible Person?

The Responsible Person will vary depending on the type of premises and how it is managed. In practice, the Responsible Person may be:

• An employer, where the premises are a workplace
• A building owner or landlord
• An occupier or tenant, where they control part or all of the premises
• A managing agent or facilities manager
• An organisation or company, rather than an individual

There is no requirement for the Responsible Person to be a single named individual. In many cases, the Responsible Person is a company or organisation that has control of the premises.

Can There Be More Than One Responsible Person?

Yes. In many buildings, more than one Responsible Person may exist at the same time.

This commonly occurs in:

• Multi-occupied buildings
• Shared premises
• Buildings with multiple tenants
• Landlord and tenant arrangements

Where responsibilities overlap, each Responsible Person must:

• Take reasonable steps to meet their own duties
• Cooperate and coordinate with other Responsible Persons
• Share relevant fire safety information

Responsibility cannot be avoided simply because another party is also involved.

What Are the Duties of the Responsible Person?

The Responsible Person has a range of legal duties under the Fire Safety Order, including responsibility for:

A Fire Risk Assessment Is Carried Out

The Responsible Person must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is completed and kept under review.

Fire Safety Measures Are Implemented

Appropriate fire precautions must be in place, such as:

• Safe means of escape
• Fire detection and warning systems
• Fire-fighting equipment
• Fire doors and compartmentation

Fire Safety Is Maintained

Fire safety measures must be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, and in good repair.

Information and Training Are Provided

Employees and relevant persons must be informed about:

• Fire risks
• Emergency procedures
• Evacuation arrangements

Training must be provided where necessary.

Emergency Procedures Are in Place

Suitable emergency plans must be prepared and communicated.

Responsible Person vs Competent Person

It is important to understand the difference between a Responsible Person and a Competent Person.

• The Responsible Person holds the legal duty for fire safety.
• A Competent Person is someone appointed to assist the Responsible Person, such as by carrying out a fire risk assessment or advising on compliance.

While tasks can be delegated, legal responsibility cannot.

The Responsible Person remains accountable even where third parties are engaged.

How Recent Fire Safety Legislation Affects the Responsible Person

Recent changes to fire safety legislation have expanded and clarified existing duties rather than replacing them.

The Fire Safety Act 2021 clarified that fire risk assessments in relevant residential buildings must consider:

• The building structure
• External walls
• Flat entrance doors opening onto common parts

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 introduced additional requirements for Responsible Persons in certain residential buildings, including:

• Fire door inspection duties
• Information sharing with residents and fire and rescue services
• Record-keeping requirements

These changes increase scrutiny but do not change who the Responsible Person is — they reinforce what the Responsible Person must do.

What Happens If the Responsible Person Fails to Comply?

Failure to comply with fire safety duties can result in:

• Enforcement notices
• Prohibition notices
• Prosecution
• Unlimited fines
• Imprisonment in serious cases

Enforcing authorities assess whether the Responsible Person has taken reasonable and proportionate steps to manage fire risk.

Our Fire Safety Support for Responsible Persons

At Fire Risk Assessment Network, we support Responsible Persons in meeting their legal duties through professional, practical fire safety services.

We help by:

• Carrying out suitable and sufficient fire risk assessments
• Reviewing existing assessments
• Advising on Responsible Person duties
• Supporting compliance across a wide range of premises

Our approach is clear, proportionate, and aligned with current UK fire safety law.

Conclusion

The Responsible Person is the cornerstone of fire safety compliance in the UK. Whether you are an employer, landlord, managing agent, or building owner, understanding your role and responsibilities is essential.

Fire safety duties cannot be delegated away, and responsibility often exists even where multiple parties are involved. Taking informed, proactive steps helps protect people, property, and legal compliance.

If you need support understanding your responsibilities or meeting your duties, contact Fire Risk Assessment Network today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is classed as the Responsible Person under fire safety law?

The Responsible Person is the individual or organisation with control of the premises under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This may be an employer, building owner, landlord, occupier, managing agent, or other person or organisation with control of the building or activities carried out there.

Can there be more than one Responsible Person?

Yes. In some premises, particularly multi-occupied or shared buildings, there may be more than one Responsible Person. Where this occurs, each Responsible Person must comply with their own duties and cooperate with others to ensure fire safety is effectively managed.

Is the Responsible Person always the building owner?

No. The Responsible Person is not always the building owner. The role depends on who has control of the premises or part of it. In some cases, a tenant, employer, or managing agent may be the Responsible Person rather than the owner.

Can the Responsible Person delegate their duties?

The Responsible Person can appoint competent persons to assist with fire safety tasks, such as carrying out a fire risk assessment. However, legal responsibility cannot be delegated. The Responsible Person remains legally accountable even where third parties are engaged.

What happens if the Responsible Person fails to comply with fire safety law?

Failure to comply with fire safety duties can result in enforcement action by the fire and rescue authority, including enforcement notices, prohibition notices, prosecution, unlimited fines, and, in serious cases, imprisonment.