|
The new Safety Fire Legislation is called the
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)
Order 2005
and this statutory instrument has the effect of sweeping
away all previous legislation governing the work place, places of
business, places to which the public have access and Multi Occupied
Dwellings (HMO’s), and bring it all under this one instrument of
parliament.
A copy can be viewed at
www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051541.htm
Points to note:
Fire Certificates no longer valid
The ‘Responsible Person’, normally the person in charge of the
premises must;
Make a written ‘risk assessment’ , and keep it up to date. From
this he must make the decisions about Fire Safety for all persons in
or on the premises in question.
In larger premises then a professionally written assessment with
advice would seem the way forward but for more straight forward
premises then the following website maybe of help.
http://fratraining.thefpa.co.uk/
This new piece of legislation make breaches a ‘criminal offence’,
so it is no longer a ‘civil matter’, your are now personally liable
and your freedom can be risk.
Such a process will most probably result in a decision being made
that the building must be of a suitable fire resistant construction,
is in good repair and that some sort of Automatic Fire Detection
System is a must, and going hand in hand with that is a requirement
for an Emergency Lighting system, extinguishers and maybe other on
site Fire Fighting Equipment, all in all a complete package.
Whilst the compliance with the new Fire Safety Order is
enforceable via criminal prosecution, it should be remembered that
its primary purpose is to save life and prevent injury to people in
the event of Fire.
Insurers
But what about the building, its contents the future of your
business?, Your Insurers obviously have an interest, as they are on
risk and will insist that you take all proper precaution to minimise
their exposure to risk as far as possible, they should be a party to
this decision making process.
They may want not only an adequate Fire Detection System to alert
people to fire to allow an early evacuation but they may also want
it communicated automatically as soon as possible to the Brigade via a BT Redcare
signalled alert, so that whilst you are evacuating the premises the
Brigade are on their way.
Because of these differing risks there are a variety of
configurations of Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm systems
designated by L,P and M codes with sub categories to denote the type
of coverage the system should have, and they are derived from
BS5839: 2002 which is the main standard relating to the fitting of
such systems.
The Government Guide for your type of business can be found at:
www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1162101
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005
Q. What are my responsibilities and what happens if I do not comply
with the Fire Safety Order?
A. It cannot be stressed sufficiently the need to carry out a Fire
Risk Assessment for your Commercial Property as this document is one
of the main elements in complying with the Fire Safety Order. People
are now being prosecuted by the Authorities for serious breaches of
the Fire Safety Order.
Such Prosecutions are through the Criminal Courts where a wide range
of penalties can be imposed. Such penalties maybe Custodial in
serious cases and conviction of course carries the stigma of a
Criminal Record.
Remember it is for the ‘Responsible Person’ to ensure compliance or
they may be called to face the consequences, this is a personal not
a corporate responsibility.
Some Things to look out for:
- Is the Fire Risk Assessment current and up to date and have
you complied with its findings?
- Do you need an Automatic Fire Detection and Alarm System?
- If so Is it regularly checked and Serviced by a ‘Competent’
person?
- Is there Emergency Lighting on the Escape Routes and is it
maintained by a ‘Competent’ person?
- Is there Safety Signage?
- Do you have trained ‘Fire Safety Wardens’?
- Do you organise ‘Fire Safety Drills’ regularly?
- Do you have a written and published ‘What to do in the event
of a Fire’ plan?
- Good Housekeeping
A) Annually check the electrical supply system by Authorised
Engineer
b) Portable Electrical Appliances to be ‘Pat’ tested Annually
c) Gas supply and Heating Systems to be checked Annually by
Authorised Engineer
d) Fire Extinguishers, checked Annually and refilled after
discharge
- Keep a paper Audit Trail of such checks
- Are the escape routes properly sign posted, lit and the
routes to them kept free of obstruction in a pathway at least 1m
wide?
- Are the Fire Escapes Doors, not locked from inside and free
from obstruction outside, i.e. Parked Cars, Boxes, Fencing,
Vegetation etc?
- The escape routes/ stairways must be kept in good repair and
properly lit, with anything that could cause a trip i.e. worn
treads or insecure carpeting fixed.
Please note:
This site is purely a Marketing tool, not a technical reference
site and the information contained therein is for Marketing purposes
only, and no responsibility is taken or implied as to the accuracy
of Regulatory and Legislative content referred to within. Where
British Standards or the Fire Safety Order are referred to then the
actual documents themselves should be consulted.
|
