East Sussex and Brighton and Hove have some wonderful heritage buildings.
General information on fire risk assessments can be found on our Fire Risk Assessments page, however heritage buildings have particular risks and limitations associated with them - old doors, hidden voids, poor compartmentalisation etc.
For this reason we strongly recommend that your fire risk assessment is carried out by a Competent Person / Assessor with an understanding of fire safety within heritage buildings.
If you live in a heritage building, please check our home safety advice.
More about the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into force on 1 April 2006. This legislation gave the responsibility of fire safety to the person who has control of the premises who are called the responsible person as explained in Article 3.
Article 5 explains that where the premises are a workplace, the responsible person must ensure that any duty imposed by articles 8 to 22 or by regulations made under article 24 is complied with in respect of the whole premises. Where the premises are not a workplace, the responsible person must ensure compliance so far as the requirements relate to matters within their control.
Article 6 explains where the Fire Safety Order 2005 applies. It does apply to:
- Domestic premises
- Offshore installations
- A ship
- Fields, woods or other land
- An aircraft, locomotive or rolling stock
- A mine
- A borehole site.
Further details can be found in Article 6.
Buildings that are of special architectural or historic interest can be listed, which gives them legal protection. However, they must still comply with relevant legislation such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
The responsible person of a listed building that does not fall under article 6 must:
- Take such general fire precautions as will ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable; the safety of any of their employees or in relation to relevant persons who are not their employees, take such general fire precautions as may reasonably be required in the circumstances of the case tor ensure that the premises are safe.
- Make a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment
- Implement any preventative and protective measures
- Make and give effect to appropriate fire safety arrangements
- Ensure the premises are equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment and with fire detectors and alarms to provide adequate means of fire detection and warning.
- Ensure the premises has appropriate means of escape to allow relevant persons to escape quickly and safely in the event of a fire.
- Ensure that the premises and any facilities, equipment and devices provided are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, efficient working order and in good repair.
It is an offence under article 32 for any responsible person to fail to comply with any requirement or prohibition imposed by articles 8 to 22 and 38 where that failure places one or more relevant persons at risk of death or serious injury in case of fire.
The Fire and Rescue Service will liaise with responsible persons of listed buildings and Historic England to reach a conclusion that satisfies the requirements of the listed building and the Fire Safety Order 2005. Historic buildings will always be protected as reasonably practicable, but life safety will always be the priority.
Additional information
The following information may be of interest. ESFRS is not responsible for the advice given by these organisations.
Fire safety in heritage and historical buildings | London Fire Brigade (london-fire.gov.uk)
Fire Advice | Historic England
Reducing the Risk of Fires in Thatched Properties with Wood- | Historic England