Ensuring fire safety

Anyone who has control of premises, or some control over part of the premises, can be responsible for fire safety. This means you need to:carry out - and keep up to date - a fire risk assessment, considering the possible risks to all people who could be affected.

Take steps to prevent fires - eg ensuring electrical equipment is maintained,provide fire precautions to safeguard people using the workplace - eg escape routes to a place of safety, fire-resistant doors and walls, fire alarms and fire-fighting equipment,train staff in fire safety.

In commercial premises, both the landlord and the tenant normally share these responsibilities. For example, in a multi-occupied office block housing a number of employers, all tenants have responsibilities for those parts of the premises used by their employees.


The landlord or managing agent must ensure fire regulations are complied with on common staircases. The landlord or managing agent is responsible for maintaining and checking shared fire safety equipment, such as a fire alarm system covering the whole building.