The Future of Fire Safety Legislation in the UK
Current fire safety Laws detail employers and others' with responsibilities for people's safety if there is an out break of fire. At present there are various pieces of legislation that contain fire safety provisions, which makes it difficult for people to know what is applicable to them and their business in respect of complying with the Law.
As part of the Governments' commitment to reduce death, injury and damage caused by fire, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has now implemented changes in fire safety Law. Existing fire safety Law will be repealed or revoked and be replaced with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO), which has now received Parliamentary Approval (7 June 2005) and will come into force in April 2006.
The RRFSO will be a fire risk assessment based approach where the responsible person(s) for the premises must decide how to address the risks identified, while meeting certain requirements.
By adopting a fire risk assessment, the responsible person(s) will need to look at how to prevent fire from occurring in the first place, by removing or reducing hazards and risks (ignition sources) and then at the precautions to ensure that people are adequately protected if a fire were still to occur. Therefore the main emphasis of the changes will be to move towards fire prevention.
The fire risk assessment must also take into consideration the effect a fire may have on anyone in or around your premises plus neighbouring property. The building fire risk assessment will also need to be kept under regular review.
The RRFSO will apply to virtually all non-domestic properties, including voluntary organisations and will be subject to monitoring and where appropriate enforcement by the Local Authority Fire Service (LAFS).
Overall the RRFSO is intended to be less burdensome and clearer.
Summary of RRFSO
All existing fire legislation will be repealed or revoked, which includes the Fire Precautions Act 1971, the amended 1997 Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations plus 100 other pieces of fire related legislation.
Fire certificates will be abolished and no longer issued.
Responsible person(s) will be responsible for fire safety. They must conduct a fire risk assessment regardless of the size of the risk.
The identified responsible person(s) would take full corporate liability.
Extended scope of consideration now to include property safety, fire fighter safety and the environment around the site. The responsible person would have a duty to protect all risks.
Unlike the amended 1997 Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations, the RRFSO places emphasis on business continuity and containing and preventing the spread of small fires.
Protection is explicitly extended to all occupants, which would include employees, visitors, contractors and passers-by who would all have to be considered in the fire risk assessment.
What are the implications for business?
When the RRFSO comes into force, building fire safety will be solely risk assessment led, therefore all businesses regardless of size will have to conduct a comprehensive fire risk assessment to identify;
- Elimination or reduction of risks (ignition sources),
- Suitable means of detecting & raising the alarm in the event of fire,
- Adequate emergency escape routes & exits,
- The appropriate type & sufficient quantities of fire extinguishers,
- Correct type & sufficient quantities of fire signs & notices,
- Provisions for the correct maintenance of installed fire equipment
- Suitable provisions for the protection of LAFS personnel,
- Ensure that occupants receive the appropriate instruction / training in, e.g. actions to be taken in the event of fire and fire evacuation drills,
Who is the responsible person(s)?
Employer with control of a workplace,
Failing that or in addition;
- Person with overall management of a building,
- Occupier of premises,
- Owner of premises (i.e. empty buildings),
- Landlords (multi occupied buildings).
Where can I get help?
Fire Safety Compliance
Are you complying with fire safety legislation?
As an employer, landlord or responsible person of premises you have certain statutory legal responsibilites regarding fire safety to either your employees, tenants and / or visitors.
You must ensure that a fire risk assement is conducted (documented if you employ 5 or more staff) to identify suitable precautions against fire, ignition sources, suitably installed fire equipment, adequate means of escape in the event of fire and appropriate signs and notices.
In addition to a risk assessment you must also ensure that your staff receive adequate training and instruction in action to take in the event of fire and action upon hearing the fire alarm.
The software titles below will assist you in complying with existing and future fire legislation and will also ensure that you have appropriate precautions and safeguards in place to protect your staff and visitors. Secondly, by implementing these software titles you would reduce the risk to your assets and increase the likelihood of business continuity if in the unfortunate circumstance a fire were still to occur.
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Fire Risk Assessments CD ROM
A UK Best Value and quality Fire Safety Risk Assessment CD-ROM, utilising your existing Microsoft Word Processing programme to produce guide template policies, procedures and risk assessments.
Product content
· Introduction & Application of the Software · Preliminary Check Sheet · Process Assurance & Fire Risk Assessment for SME's · Fire Risk Assessment Process Assurance Form · Staff Training Record Form · Free CAD Drawing Programme · Unlimited publishing facility · SME Fire Management Plan · Company Hot Work Policy · Premises Fire Precautions Log Book
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Staff Fire Training CD ROM
This is an easy-to-use CD Rom that allows managment to implement Fire Safety Policy into the workplace. The training package allows the trainee to work through on a one-to-one basis. Training takes place on a PC at their place of work and can be timetabled to fit around shifts and work patterns without causing unnecessary, expensive production downtime.
FIRE SAFETY TRAINING SESSIONS INCLUDE • Session 1 Fire Safety Precautions & Fire Extinguishers • Session 2 - Offices • Session 3 - Warehouses • Session 4 - Factories • Session 5 - Homes • Session 6 - High Rise Buildings • Session 7 - Portable Heaters
MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS · Video Training Supplements · Voice Commentary · Automatic & Manual Operation · Questions & Answers · Staff Signature & Record Forms/Certificates
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Workplace Fire Safety CD ROM
A complete cost effective "two titles in one" Workplace Fire Safety Resource. This software will assist and ensure that small and large businesses comply with Fire Legislation and therefore comply with the Law, reduce risk to your staff / visitors and increase the likelyhood of business if fire were still to occur. continuity.
Our Price Only: £99.00
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Act now and save time and money with your fire precautions. Don't wait until its too late, order your cost effective Fire Safety Software now.......
Yours Faithfuly,
Peter Jolley
Fire Safety Services Ltd
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Fire Safety Services, providing cost effective solutions and services in fire safety to the business community.