Fire Safety Compliance

Is your business compliant with the requirements of the The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the Order), are you as the Responsible Person adequately discharging your moral and legal duties for fire safety? 

Notwithstanding the fact that morally we would not wish to harm any of our employees or visitors, the National Fire Chiefs Council estimates that 60% of private businesses never recover from a significant fire. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the Order) places legal duties upon the Responsible Person in England and Wales, with similar legislation being in place for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Responsible Person is the employer, where the workplace is to any extent under their control, or the person in control of the premises (occupier) who is undertaking a business activity within the premises. Even if this person has never visited the premises, they would still be accountable.

Fire safety duties detailed within the Order and Articles 8 – 24 describe the following duties to:

• Take general fire precautions to ensure the safety of their employees and other relevant persons,
• Have in place a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment,
• Implement preventative and protective fire safety measures,
• Have in place fire safety arrangements for the effective planning, organisation, control and review of fire safety measures,
• Eliminate or reduce the risks from dangerous substances,
  • This also gives rise to the consideration of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (DSEAR) 2002.
    • The protection against risks from fire, explosion and similar events arising from dangerous substances used or present in the workplace and
    • gases under pressure and substances that are corrosive to metals.
• Provide:
  • Firefighting and fire detection facilities,
  • Emergency routes and exits,
  • Procedures for serious and imminent danger,
  • Emergency measures in respect of dangerous substances,
  • Maintenance of the premises, facilities and equipment provided for fire safety,
  • Competent persons to support the Responsible Person in undertaking the preventative and protective measures,
  • Fire safety information, instruction and training to employees,
• Cooperate and coordinate fire safety measure where premises are shared with other employers.

Want more information on your responsibilities for fire safety? Email [email protected] for advice tailored to your company, within 10 working days