Helping you find the right framework.
Fire safety requirements vary according to location, building type, use, occupancy, and project stage. Explore key legislation and official guidance for the four nations of the UK, together with specialist resources for fire-safety design, risk assessment, healthcare, education, and occupied buildings.
Fire safety in England
English legislation and official guidance.
Core legislation.
Building Regulations 2010.
The principal regulations governing building work in England are supplemented by Approved Documents, which provide practical guidance on meeting the functional requirements.
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
The principal fire-safety legislation for most non-domestic premises and the relevant parts of multi-occupied residential buildings in England and Wales. It places duties on the Responsible Person, including requirements relating to general fire precautions, risk assessment, management arrangements, escape, warning, training, maintenance, and cooperation.
Fire Safety Act 2021.
Clarifies the application of the Fire Safety Order in buildings containing two or more sets of domestic premises. Its scope includes the building’s structure, external walls, common parts, and doors between domestic premises and common areas. The Act extends to England and Wales.
Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
Introduces specific requirements for certain residential buildings in England. The regulations address matters including information boxes, external wall information, plans, firefighting equipment, wayfinding signage, resident information, and fire doors.
Building design guidance.
Approved Document B, Volume 1: Dwellings.
Statutory guidance supporting the fire-safety requirements of the Building Regulations for dwellings in England.
Approved Document B, Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings.
Statutory guidance supporting the fire-safety requirements of the Building Regulations for non-residential buildings in England. The official publication also contains amendments, frequently asked questions, and future-dated changes, so users should confirm which provisions apply to their project.
Fire risk assessment guidance.
Government fire risk assessment guides.
Official guides are available for a range of premises, including:
- Offices and shops.
- Factories and warehouses.
- Sleeping accommodation.
- Residential care premises.
- Educational premises.
- Places of assembly.
- Theatres and cinemas.
- Open-air events and venues.
- Healthcare premises.
- Animal premises and stables.
- Transport premises.
- Purpose-built blocks of flats.
The guidance is intended to support Responsible Persons in identifying hazards, assessing risks, considering precautions, recording findings, planning for emergencies, and reviewing arrangements.
Fire safety in Wales
Welsh legislation and official guidance.
Core legislation.
Building Regulations 2010.
The Building Regulations provide the statutory framework for relevant building work in Wales, subject to Welsh amendments and supporting Approved Documents.
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
The Fire Safety Order applies in England and Wales and sets out duties for managing fire safety in most non-domestic premises and relevant parts of residential buildings.
Fire Safety Act 2021.
The Act clarifies how the Fire Safety Order applies to the structure, external walls, common parts, and certain doors within buildings containing multiple domestic premises. It extends to both England and Wales.
Building design guidance.
Approved Document B: Dwelling houses.
Welsh Government guidance on meeting the fire-safety requirements of the Building Regulations for dwellinghouses.
Approved Document B: Buildings other than dwelling houses.
Welsh Government fire-safety guidance for buildings outside the dwelling-house volume. The official page also publishes applicable amendment slips, including amendments that took effect in December 2025.
Fire safety in Scotland
Scottish legislation and official guidance.
Core legislation.
Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004.
The statutory framework sets building standards for construction, conversion, demolition, and relevant building work in Scotland.
Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.
Part 3 of the Act establishes general fire-safety duties for relevant non-domestic premises in Scotland.
Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
These regulations support the duties established by the Fire (Scotland) Act and should be considered alongside it.
Building design guidance.
Scottish Building Standards Technical Handbooks.
The domestic and non-domestic Technical Handbooks guide the achievement of the standards set by the Building (Scotland) Regulations. The fire section addresses objectives such as life safety, restricting the spread of fire and smoke, escape, and the provision of facilities that support firefighting activities.
Existing premises guidance.
Practical fire safety guidance for existing non-residential premises.
Scottish Government guidance for people with responsibilities under the Fire (Scotland) Act. It covers matters including fire risk assessment, risk reduction, warning, firefighting, escape, training, emergency procedures, ongoing control, review, and record-keeping.
Fire safety in Northern Ireland
Northern Irish legislation and official guidance.
Core legislation.
Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012.
The regulations establish technical requirements for relevant building work in Northern Ireland and are supported by a series of Technical Booklets.
Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.
The Order establishes the principal statutory framework for general fire safety in relevant premises, including duties, enforcement, notices, and offences.
Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
The regulations contain more detailed provisions relating to fire-risk assessment and the fire-safety measures required within relevant premises.
Building design guidance.
Technical Booklet E: Fire Safety.
Technical Booklet E provides guidance on the fire safety requirements in the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland). The official publication page also identifies the amendments to be read alongside the booklet and provides an updated tracked-changes version.
Specialist sector guidance
Advice that's shaped around the setting.
Education — Building Bulletin 100.
Official guidance for fire-safety design in schools, covering life safety, property protection, continuity, and risk.
Healthcare Design — HTM 05-02.
Firecode guidance covering fire safety in the design of new healthcare buildings and extensions.
Healthcare Operations — HTM 05-03.
Operational fire-safety guidance for healthcare buildings, covering training, detection, fire engineering, and risk assessment.
Need support applying the guidance?
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