Fire Extinguishers 2
You - Fire Safety Regulations Guidance
Since 01/10/2006 every company has been required by law to carry
out a fire risk assessment to ensure compliance with Fire Safety
Regulations, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and to
identify precautions that need to be taken to improve fire
safety.
The Order applies in England and Wales. It covers general fire
precautions and other fire safety duties which are needed to
protect 'relevant persons' in case of fire in and around most
'premises'. The Order requires fire precautions to be put in
place 'where necessary' and to the extent that it is reasonable
and practicable in the circumstances of the case.
Who is responsible for compliance?
Responsibility for complying with the Order rests with the
'responsible person'. In a workplace, this is the employer and
any other person who may have control of any part of the
premises, e.g. the occupier or owner. In all other premises the
person or people in control of the premises will be responsible.
If there is more than one responsible person in any type of
premises (e.g. a multi-occupied complex), all must take all
reasonable steps to co-ordinate with each other.
If you are the responsible person you must carry out a fire risk
assessment which must focus on the safety in case of fire of all
'relevant persons'. It should pay particular attention to those
at special risk, such as disabled people, those who you know
have special needs and young persons, and must include
consideration of any dangerous substance liable to be on the
premises. Your fire risk assessment will help you identify risks
that can be removed or reduced and to decide the nature and
extent of the general fire precautions you need to take.
What are the requirements
of the Order?
If your organisation employs five or more people, your premises are
licensed or an alterations notice is in force, you must record the
significant findings of the assessment. It is good practice to record
your findings in any case.
Other fire safety duties you need to
comply with:
You must appoint one or more competent persons, depending on the
size and use of your premises, to carry out any of the
preventive and protective measures required by the Order1 (you
can nominate yourself for this purpose). A competent person is
someone with enough training and experience or knowledge and
other qualities to be able to implement these measures properly.
You must provide your employees with clear and relevant
information on the risks to them identified by the fire risk
assessment, about the measures you have taken to prevent fires,
and how these measures will protect them if a fire breaks out.
This is a brief outline of part of the fire safety regulations.
If you would like more detailed information please call us on
0800 862 0447 or
contact us online. We are always happy to help.
