What legal duty is established by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?

• A. To ensure safe operation of electrical equipment
• B. To carry out risk assessment and fire safety measures in premises
• C. To file annual reports
• D. To punish non-compliant companies

Answer: (B)

The key idea being tested is that this law imposes a general duty to manage fire safety by doing a fire risk assessment and putting in place appropriate fire safety measures. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the “responsible person” to identify fire hazards, assess the risk to people in the premises, and implement proportionate precautions to reduce that risk. This includes arranging means of escape, fire detection and warning, firefighting precautions where needed, and providing information, instruction, and training, with ongoing maintenance and review as conditions change.

It’s not about the safe operation of electrical equipment (that falls under different safety rules), and it doesn’t by itself mandate filing annual reports or prescribe punishment—the core duty in the order is to assess risk and put in place fire safety measures.