Who is the main duty holder under the RRFSO 2005?

• A. The 'responsible person'
• B. The fire service
• C. The building owner
• D. The employee

Answer: (A)

Under the RRFSO 2005, the main duty holder is the person who has control of the premises and can ensure fire safety measures are in place—the responsible person. This role carries the primary duties to carry out a fire risk assessment, implement and maintain needed safety measures, provide information and training, and appoint competent people to help manage fire safety. They must also cooperate with others who share responsibility if there are multiple occupiers. The fire service is the enforcing authority, not the duty holder. The building owner can be the responsible person if they have control of the premises, but the key idea is that the responsible person is the one with the core responsibility for fire safety.