Rank: Forum user 
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I am in the middle of a, friendly, debate and wondered if anyone out there could help? With respect to fire safety what takes precedent, the Building Regulations or RRFSO? I suppose what I am asking is if you are compliant with the Building Regs will you automatically be compliant with the RRFSO
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Rank: Super forum user
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Historically after debates with my property department I would say the answer is no
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Two different worlds.
Basically building regs require how the building is put together and what goes into it.
rrfso requires an assessment of the finished premises to ensure safety in relation to fire. (Not necessarily building safety).
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Rank: Super forum user
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Also note that a lot of the referenced Building Regs are not in fact law but guidance documents whereas the RR[FS]O is law but as yet we have not had any case law [BR v RR[FS]O] on the subject
I recently evaluated a job where the B Regs [guidance] said one thing and the WAH regs [law] said another - The designers would not challenge the planning people so the BR guide was followed whereas it should have been WAH that was followed and maintenance staff are now at risk on a new building
There are lots of changes needed noting the on the whole it is a good job that we have the BR as we would be in a mess without them
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Rank: Super forum user
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Bob you make a very good point there.
I have noted how much designers obey planning people because it is the planners that give approval for premises to be signed off.
Regulations are not usually "regulated" until something goes wrong, well after the approvals.
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Rank: Super forum user
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bob youel wrote: I recently evaluated a job where the B Regs [guidance] said one thing and the WAH regs [law] said another - The designers would not challenge the planning people so the BR guide was followed whereas it should have been WAH that was followed and maintenance staff are now at risk on a new building
Isn't this where a CDM-C and an H&S file for the client comes in? Residual risks after construction?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Another set of Regulations also apply that are often over looked The Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations if the building is to be a work place - this should take account of maintenance issues in communal areas of apartment blocks as well.
Also under the CDM Regulations the planners can be classed as designers if they stipulate certain design alterations or specify certain materials - they don't have the total exemption they used to have.
In answer to the original question the Fire Regs have to be complied with but you can't comply unless you follow the Building Regs
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Rank: Super forum user
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A facility built is built compliant to Building Regulations at a point in time, but building regulations and its associated "Approved Documents" are updated/amended regularly. However, as far as I am aware, the updates and amandments to Building regulations are not applied retrospectively to "old" facilities.
Therefore, a facility could be compliant to Building Regulations when built, but not necessarily to all the requirements of RRFSO.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Yes you can comply with rrfso without following the building regs.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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The management issues needed to comply with RRFSO do not appear in Building Regs.
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