The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into effect in October 2006 and replaced over 70 pieces of fire safety law.
The Order applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including the common parts of blocks of flats or houses in multiple occupation. The law applies to you if you are:
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responsible for business premises
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an employer or self-employed with business premises
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responsible for a part of a dwelling where that part is solely used for business purposes
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a charity or voluntary organisation
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a contractor with a degree of control over any premises
Under the Order, the responsible person must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan.
What does The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 mean to me?
Responsibility for complying with the new fire safety legislation rest with the “responsible person”. For a workplace, this will be the employer or any other person who may have control of any part of the workplace, for example, the owner or occupier.
Under the new fire legislation, the responsible person must carry out a fire risk assessment and take reasonable steps to remove or reduce the risk.
The responsible person must provide a suitable and sufficient level of fire precautions. These should include:
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Appropriate measures to reduce the risk of fire
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Appropriate measures that will limit the spread of fire
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Appropriate measures of detection and giving warning in case of fire
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Appropriate measures to ensure that means of escape can be effectively used at all time
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Appropriate portable fire extinguishers for the risk identified in means of fire fighting
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Appropriate signs and notices to enable persons to escape safely
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Ensuring persons understand the action to be taken in the event of fire on the premises, including:
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Instruction and training of staff
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Measures to lessen the effects of fire
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If you employ 5 or more people you must carry out and record the findings of fire risk assessment to comply with the new fire legislation.
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What does the Responsible Person have to do?
The Responsible Person is responsible for the safety of employees and relevant persons by effectively managing:
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Fire Risk Assessment
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Fire Safety Policy
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Fire Procedures
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Fire Drills
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Means of Escape
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Emergency Lighting
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Fire Alarms and Fire Extinguishers
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Fire Doors and Compartmentation
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Fire Evacuations
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Signs and Notices
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Fire Training Courses
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