When You Become the “Responsible Person” Without Realising It
It’s surprisingly common for people to become the Responsible Person under fire safety law — without even realising it.
You don’t have to sign a form, or have the title written into your job description. You simply have to be the person who has control over a building or business premises. That could be the owner, landlord, facilities manager, or even a tenant with day-to-day responsibility.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, every building that isn’t a single private dwelling must have a Responsible Person. Their job is to make sure that fire safety measures are in place, maintained, and suitable for the people who use the building.
But here’s the catch — many people inherit this role by accident.
“I didn’t realise that was my job.”
We often meet clients who have taken over a site or inherited a lease and assumed that fire safety was “taken care of.” But when we dig deeper, they’re shocked to learn that they are now legally responsible for ensuring the building meets fire safety requirements.
A few common examples:
A shop owner renting a unit in a shared arcade assumes the landlord handles fire safety — but their lease says otherwise.
A practice manager in a medical centre takes over building operations, unaware that this makes them the Responsible Person.
A community organisation hires out a hall for regular events, effectively becoming the Responsible Person for those times.
None of these people are being careless — the rules are simply not as obvious as they might seem.
What being a Responsible Person means
If you’re the Responsible Person, you must:
Carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment of the premises.
Keep records of fire safety arrangements and maintenance.
Ensure fire alarms, extinguishers and emergency lighting are tested and serviced.
Provide training and information to anyone working in or using the building.
Review your assessment regularly — particularly when something changes.
Failing to do these things isn’t just a paperwork issue. It can lead to enforcement action, fines, or even criminal prosecution if negligence leads to harm.
How to find out if you’re the Responsible Person
Ask yourself these questions:
Do I own or lease the premises?
Do I employ people there?
Am I responsible for maintenance, repairs or operations?
Do others use the space under my control (e.g. tenants, visitors, contractors)?
If the answer to any of these is “yes”, you almost certainly have duties under fire safety law.
The good news is that help is available. Fletcher Risk works with organisations across the North West to identify who holds responsibility, ensure compliance, and make the process straightforward.
How we help
We start by clarifying who the Responsible Person is — because it’s not always obvious. Then we carry out a full fire risk assessment, ensuring you understand what’s required and where you stand.
From there, we can:
Create an action plan prioritising what needs to be improved.
Provide ongoing support for reviews, training, and maintenance.
Help you demonstrate compliance if inspected by your local Fire Authority.
Our aim isn’t to frighten anyone — it’s to make fire safety simple, practical and part of good building management.
The takeaway
You don’t need to have “Responsible Person” in your job title to be one.
If you’re in charge of a property, business, or even part of a shared premises, it’s worth checking where your duties begin and end.
A short conversation now can prevent serious problems later.
If you’re unsure of your responsibilities or need a fire risk assessment, get in touch with our team — we’ll help you get clarity and confidence.
👉 Contact us today to find out how we can help.
Fletcher Risk Management Team - 24 October 2025
Disclaimer:
This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, fire-safety requirements may vary depending on your building and local authority. For specific guidance or a formal Fire Risk Assessment, please contact Fletcher Risk or a qualified fire-safety professional.