Fire safety law in the UK has seen significant updates in recent years, driven largely by the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the subsequent inquiry. Whether you manage an office in Carlisle, a hotel in the Lake District, or a care home in Kendal, understanding your legal obligations is essential.

Here’s a straightforward guide to the key fire safety regulations that affect employers and building managers in 2025.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

This remains the primary piece of fire safety legislation in England and Wales. It applies to virtually all non-domestic premises and places specific duties on the ‘responsible person’ — usually the employer, owner, or anyone with control of the premises.

Key requirements include:

• Carrying out a fire risk assessment and keeping it under review
• Implementing appropriate fire safety measures based on the assessment
• Appointing one or more competent persons to assist with fire safety
• Providing fire safety training to all employees
• Ensuring fire detection, alarm systems, and firefighting equipment are adequate and maintained
• Planning for emergency evacuation and carrying out fire drills

The Fire Safety Act 2021

This Act clarified and extended the scope of the 2005 Order. The key change is that the Fire Safety Order now explicitly applies to the structure, external walls, and flat entrance doors of multi-occupied residential buildings. This means:

• Fire risk assessments must now consider the building’s structure and external walls, not just the common areas
• The responsible person must take into account the materials used in cladding and insulation

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022

Sometimes called the ‘Grenfell response regulations’, these came into force on 23 January 2023 and impose additional duties on responsible persons for multi-occupied residential buildings. Key requirements:

• All buildings: Fire safety instructions to residents, information to the fire service, testing of fire doors annually
• Buildings 11m+: Quarterly checks of all fire doors in common parts, annual checks of all flat entrance doors, Wayfinding signage, secure information box for the fire service
• Buildings 18m+: All of the above plus an evacuation plan shared with the fire service, and personal emergency evacuation plans for residents who need them

What This Means for Employers in Cumbria

For most Cumbrian businesses, the core obligation remains the same: you must have a fire risk assessment, you must act on its findings, and you must train your staff. Specifically:

• Fire risk assessments should be reviewed annually or after any significant change (building works, change of use, new processes)
• All employees must receive fire safety training as part of their induction and at regular intervals
• Fire wardens must be appointed and trained — at least one per floor
• Fire drills should be carried out at least twice a year and recorded
• Fire safety equipment (alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting) must be tested and serviced regularly

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Fire safety enforcement is carried out by the local fire and rescue service. Penalties can include:

• Enforcement notices requiring you to take action within a set timeframe
• Prohibition notices restricting or preventing use of the premises
• Prosecution — fines are unlimited, and in serious cases, responsible persons can face imprisonment

How We Can Help

Cumbria Fire & Safety Training delivers accredited fire safety courses at our Penrith training centre and on-site across Cumbria. Our sister company Beacon Fire Protection can carry out fire risk assessments and install fire safety systems.

Need help with fire safety compliance? Get in touch today.