Fire safety laws scattered across more than 70 pieces of legislation have been consolidated into a single order that places greater focus on prevention and represents the " largest single reform of fire safety legislation for more than 30 years."

Responsibility for fire safety in non-domestic buildings is placed on the employer or "responsible person" for those premises by The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 / 1541, ISBN 0 11 072945 5, TSO, £7.50, which came into force on 1st October 2006 in England and Wales.

The employer / responsible person will have to assess the risks of fire and take steps to reduce them. Businesses will no longer need a fire certificate, though fire authorities will continue to inspect premises and ensure adequate fire precautions are in place.

EFFECTIVE FROM 1ST OCTOBER 2006
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