Fire Safety Legislation

 Under the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005, it is now compulsory for companies to conduct a Fire Risk Assessment.

If you are an employer or have control over any part of non-domestic premises i.e. Office, Shop, Factory, Warehouse, Hotel, Bed & Breakfast, Residential and Care Home, Community Hall, Public House, Club, Restaurant, School and College, then you will need to carry out a 'suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment' and also record this if you have five or more employees, the premises are licensed or if there is an alterations notice in force (issued by the enforcing authority).

The Regulation consolidates all previous fire safety legislation with the emphasis on fire prevention through risk assessment.

Legal responsibilities for complying with the Fire Safety Order rests with the 'Responsible Person'. In the workplace, this will be the employer and any other person who has control of part of the premises.

 

The legislation imposes a duty to: -

 

• Identify fire hazards

• Identify people at risk

• Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from the risk

• Record the assessment findings (where necessary)

• Plan for emergencies

• Inform, instruct and train employees

• Periodically review the assessment

If you would like us to assist you with carrying out or reviewing your fire risk assessment, then please speak to our Fire Safety Consultant, Mike Claxton who would be happy to discuss the matter further with you.

 

Please Note that the Fire Safety Order is enforced by periodic inspections or audits, usually by the Fire Rescue Authorities. 82,000 inspections or audits were carried out in England during 2008/9.

 

Four out of every ten audits identified an unsatisfactory level of compliance resulting, in some cases, to prosecution including prohibition notices and fines.