| New Fire Safety Legislation |  |
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into force on 1st October 2006. The new rules affect all non-domestic premises.
The main effect of the changes are a move towards greater emphasis on fire prevention in all non-domestic premises, including the voluntary sector and self-employed people with premises separate from their homes.
Fire certificates have been abolished and have ceased to have legal status. | |
 Does it apply to me?
Responsible Person
Risk Assessment
Guidance
Enforcement
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If you are:
- responsible for business premises
- an employer
- self-employed with business premises
- a charity or voluntary organisation
- a contractor with a degree of control over any premises
...then you will need to act now.
The Fire Safety Order will apply in England and Wales. (Northern Ireland and Scotland will have their own laws.) It covers 'general fire precautions' and other fire safety duties which are needed to protect people 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.
Responsibility for complying with the Fire Safety Order will largely rest with the responsible person. If you are the responsible person you have to 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 the disabled and those with special needs, and must include consideration of any dangerous substance likely to be on the premises. Your fire risk assessment helps 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 to protect people against the fire risks that remain. |