The RRO requires a ‘Responsible Person’ to be appointed for the premises – usually the owner of the premises or business or the person with control over the premises. You can no longer ask the local fire brigade to provide a Fire Certificate. You must conduct your own risk assessment and take appropriate action to protect your staff from fire.

It is the responsibility of the Responsible Person to ensure compliance with the RRO. The RRO outlines the measures which must be taken to ensure the safety of all the people who may be in or around the premises.

Key functions include provision of:

• Means of escape
• Fire fighting equipment and it maintenance
• Training of staff, fire wardens and marshals
• Documentation and records:
  • Policy
  • Procedures
  • Fire Risk Assessment
  • Fire Safety arrangements
  • Records of precautionary actions

Enforcement of the RRO is usually by the local Fire Brigade. Their Inspector has the right to enter your premises, make enquiries to establish the limits of the premises and who the responsible persons are, inspect and take copies of any records, take samples.

Failure to comply with the RRO may result in fines or imprisonment.

The Responsible Person may in turn appoint a Competent Person(s) to carry out these functions. The Competent Person may be a trained Fire Warden from within the organisation, may be an outside contractor, or may be the Responsible Person. Size of organisation will influence these decisions.

ADVISA provides an online risk assessment tool and other relevant documentation to help with the ongoing task of compliance with the RRO.

Depending on the size of organisation and premises, ADVISA can assist existing management to do a range of these tasks in house. Where required we can provide consultants to help where a ‘competent person’ is required, but it is not cost effective for the organisation to employ one full time.

This is a complex and demanding responsibility.

Contact us to discuss how we may help