I think the following sheds some light: Report to the Secretary of State by the Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser on the emerging issues arising from the fatal fire at Lakanal House, Camberwell on 3 July 2009 5.7 Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 5.7.1 Emerging issues There is a requirement in the Fire Safety Order (FSO) to appoint one or more competent persons to assist the responsible person in undertaking the preventable and protective fire safety measures within premises. However, there is no similar requirement for a competent person to be appointed to assist in making a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. It is important that assurance be given to both the responsible person for the premises and the enforcing authority that a risk assessment has been undertaken by a competent person. 5.7.2 Areas for consideration Consideration should be given to conducting a review as to how the responsible person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, can be assured that their assessment of risk is suitable and sufficient. This assurance is particularly important where the responsible person may be relying on using someone else to undertake the risk assessment Where appropriate, the current Fire Safety Order guidance would need to be amended accordingly.