Who is the Responsible Person?
For a workplace, it is usually the employer. For other premises, it is the person in control, such as the owner or managing agent. In multi-occupied residential buildings, it is usually the freeholder or managing agent for the common parts. There can be more than one.
Does the Fire Safety Order cover the building's structure?
Yes. The Fire Safety Act 2021 made clear that the Order covers a building's structure, external walls and flat entrance doors. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 add specific duties for multi-occupied residential buildings.
What about contractors who damage fire stopping?
Anyone carrying out work through a fire-resisting wall or floor should reinstate the fire stopping. In practice, the Responsible Person needs to manage contractors and check that this happens. It is good practice to re-check fire stopping after any such work.
Where do surveyors fit in?
A fire stopping survey gives the Responsible Person a photographed record of what is there. We survey and report what we find. The Responsible Person decides what to do, with their Fire Risk Assessor. See who we work with.
Frequently asked questions
Can responsibility be shared?
Yes. Where more than one Responsible Person exists, they must co-operate and co-ordinate.
Is a surveyor responsible for the fire stopping?
No. The surveyor reports what they find. The Responsible Person decides next steps.
Does this apply in Scotland?
Different fire safety legislation applies in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and our surveys work to it.