Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

13
Fire hazards and 
control

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Introduction to Health and Safety at Work
202
There is also a general duty in relation to non-
employees to take such fi re precautions as may reasona-
bly be required in the circumstances, and a duty to carry 
out a risk assessment to ensure that premises are safe.
The Order imposes a number of specifi c duties in 
relation to the fi re precautions to be taken. The Order 
provides for the enforcement of the Order, appeals, 
offences and connected matters. The Order also gives 
effect in England and Wales to parts of a number of EC 
Directives including the Framework, Workplace, Chemical 
Agents and Explosive Atmospheres directives.
13.2 
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) 
Order 2004 (RRFSO) – Requirements
13.2.1 Outline of RRFSO
Part 1 General
– The RRFSO applies to all non-domes-
tic premises other than those listed in article 6. The main 
duty-holder is the ‘responsible person’ in relation to the 
premises, defi ned in article 3. The duties on the respon-
sible person are extended to any person who has, to any 
extent, control of the premises to the extent of their con-
trol (article 5).
Part 2
imposes duties on the responsible person in rela-
tion to fi re safety in premises.
Part 3
provides for enforcement.
Part 4
provides for offences and appeals.
Part 5
provides for miscellaneous matters including 
fi re-fi ghters’ switches for luminous tube signs, mainte-
nance of measures provided to ensure the safety of fi re-
fi ghters, civil liability for breach of statutory duty by an 
employer, special requirements for licensed premises 
and consultation by other authorities.
Schedule 1
sets out the matters to be taken into 
account in carrying out a risk assessment (Parts 1 and 
2), the general principles to be applied in implementing 
fi re safety measures (Part 3) and the special measures 
to be taken in relation to dangerous substances (Part 4).
The Order is mainly enforced by the fi re and rescue 
authorities.