Don't forget to include fire safety in financial plans for your business

Being aware of your fire safety responsibilities (which are set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) will help you when looking for premises.

Things to be aware of:

• Check the lease or tenancy agreement - what are you responsible for?
• Is everything suitable for the type of business you are starting or will you have to change or add anything? How will this impact on budgeting?
• Make sure you understand the maintenance regimes - how often and by who?

By doing your research into the initial and ongoing costs, you can include it in your budget.

Your insurance provider will need to know that you have fulfilled your legal requirements. If you have not, your policy may be rendered invalid if you make a claim. 

Do you know what the law requires you to do?

If you're becoming a business owner or have control over a business then you are probably regarded as a Responsible Person.

Under the Fire Safety Order the responsible person: 'Has a duty to provide and maintain suitable and sufficient fire precautions and comply with the Fire Safety Order'.    

You can learn about fire safety for your new business by going to our 'Choose your business type' page.

What is a fire risk assessment? 

A fire risk assessment is a thorough look at your premises and the people who are likely to use them. It considers the risk of fire breaking out and what measures you need to put in place to prevent it and keep people safe. You can learn about them on our Fire Risk Assessment section.

Complete your fire risk assessment 

STEP 1: Identify fire hazards
STEP 2: Identify people at risk
STEP 3: Evaluate, remove or reduce and protect from risk
STEP 4: Record, plan, inform, instruct and train
STEP 5: Review your fire risk assessment regularly

If you do not comply with the law

• you are committing an offence and you could be putting people's lives at risk. 
• we may inspect your premises as part of our responsibility to enforce the law. 
• a customer or someone working for you may report you to us if they feel at risk. 
• this could result in enforcement, legal costs and/or fines, imprisonment, loss of business, loss of life