In fire safety, travel distance is one of the key measurements recorded on a fire risk assessment — and it’s often misunderstood or misapplied. This guide explains what travel distance is, typical UK guidance figures, how to measure it correctly, and how it fits into wider fire safety thinking. Whether you’re a fire safety professional, Read more »
Completing a fire risk assessment action is only part of compliance. Properly closing out that action — with appropriate evidence and documentation — is what demonstrates that the risk has genuinely been addressed. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must implement appropriate fire safety measures and maintain adequate arrangements. In Read more »
A fire risk assessment is only as effective as the action plan that follows it. While the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a “suitable and sufficient” fire risk assessment, enforcement action most commonly arises not because an assessment is missing — but because its findings have not been properly implemented. This guide explains Read more »
Facilities managers in the UK often sit at the operational centre of fire safety compliance within commercial, industrial and mixed-use buildings. While the legal duty under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 rests with the “Responsible Person”, facilities managers are frequently the individuals delivering fire safety management in practice. Where you control day-to-day building Read more »
Block managers sit at the operational centre of fire safety compliance in residential buildings. Even where a freeholder, RMC or RTM company is the legal owner, a block manager may be treated as the Responsible Person (or share duties with them) if they control the building’s common parts in practice. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Read more »
Letting agents in the UK are not automatically the Responsible Person under fire safety legislation. However, depending on the services you provide and the level of control you exercise, legal duties may arise under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and related housing legislation. Many letting agents assume fire safety responsibility sits entirely with Read more »
Freeholders in the UK often carry primary legal responsibility for fire safety in residential buildings containing flats. Where you own the freehold of a multi-occupied building and control the common parts, you will usually be treated as the Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In standard leasehold structures, responsibility for the Read more »
Company directors in the UK can carry personal responsibility for fire safety compliance within the organisations they lead. While the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 primarily places duties on the “Responsible Person”, directors may face criminal liability where offences are committed with their consent, connivance or neglect. Fire safety is therefore not merely an Read more »
Housing associations in the UK have significant legal responsibilities under fire safety legislation. Where you own or manage multi-occupied residential buildings, duties under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 will usually apply. Many housing associations operate as Registered Providers of Social Housing and are subject to heightened regulatory scrutiny in relation to resident safety. Read more »
If you are a property manager in the UK, you may have legal responsibilities under fire safety legislation — particularly where you manage or control commercial buildings, residential blocks, or mixed-use premises. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the person with control of premises — or control of common parts — may be Read more »
