THE ANSWER, FIRST
Use Scotland’s fire-safety framework and the guidance for your type of premises. Do not substitute the England and Wales Fire Safety Order.
Check the sourceJump to a section
Who is responsibleYour next stepsBefore spending moneyWhat you can do yourselfPutting it into practiceRecords to keepWhen to reviewCommon questionsOfficial sourcesWho is responsible?
Those with fire-safety responsibilities for relevant non-domestic premises in Scotland. The framework differs from England and Wales.
Identify responsibilities under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006. Assess fire risks and put suitable measures and evacuation arrangements in place.
START HERE
Your next three steps
- 1
Identify the people with responsibility for the premises.
- 2
Use the Scottish guidance for the building’s use, including any sleeping accommodation.
- 3
Assess risks, implement measures and plan evacuation for everyone who may need to leave.
BEFORE YOU PAY
Make sure you’re buying the right job
- Identify the use of the building, including sleeping accommodation.
- Ask which Scottish premises guide the assessor will use.
- Clarify responsibility for shared spaces and action on findings.
Watch out: The England and Wales Fire Safety Order is not the Scottish legal framework. A guide for ordinary non-residential premises may not cover sleeping accommodation.
Compare the whole cost of two quotesWhat can you do yourself?
Collect premises information and existing records, check responsibilities and use the Scottish Government guidance to understand the task.
When to get competent help
Use someone competent for the premises and familiar with Scottish requirements, particularly where risks or evacuation arrangements are complex.
Make the Scottish premises context explicit in the brief
Before you commission work
State the premises address, use and occupancy when requesting an assessment. Ask which Scottish guidance is relevant and whether the provider has experience with that type of premises. Supply previous actions and explain shared responsibilities so the proposal covers the actual management arrangements.
Follow through on the result
Check that the report identifies the right site and local framework. Ask for a handover of findings, limitations and priorities, with any specialist follow-up clearly identified. For a business operating across the UK, keep each site’s jurisdiction visible rather than combining every assessment under one generic legal heading.
Compare costs and decide what to buy
Use these buying guides to prepare your brief, check exclusions and compare the whole price.
Keep a useful record
Aim for information that helps the next person make a sound decision.
- The assessment and premises information.
- Actions, responsibilities and evidence of follow-up.
- Relevant fire precautions, checks and staff arrangements.
When to review it
Keep the assessment and precautions appropriate to the premises and review following relevant changes.
Ask a supplier to distinguish a legal deadline, a recommendation based on risk and a condition in your contract or insurance. They are not interchangeable.
Questions to put to a provider
- Which Scottish premises guidance applies here?
- How are sleeping occupants or people needing assistance considered?
- Who will implement and monitor the actions?
Common questions
Can I use an England and Wales guide unchanged?
No. Scottish duties and premises guidance must be considered. Similar terminology does not make the legal frameworks identical.
Check the official sources
Read the current guidance for the place where you operate. A link is not an endorsement of this website by the regulator.
Source-checked guidance. Specialist editorial sign-off is pending; this is not an assessment of your business. It does not cover every specialist activity or replace competent, case-specific advice.
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