Legislation

Fire safety law changed in 2006 when the “Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order” came into effect. This now requires all “Responsible Persons” to undertake a fire risk assessment on the premises or buildings for which they have responsibility.

A fire risk assessment is NOT an option, it is a requirement and is the starting point for all fire safety, and it will assess the risks, fire safety precautions and procedures in force in the premises against established standards and guidance.

Fire risk assessments are now required on the following the premises;

• Offices and Shops
• Care homes & Nursing homes
• Pubs, Clubs and Restaurants
• Community Halls, Village Halls, Scout Halls etc
• Places of Worship
• Houses in Multiple Occupation
• Hotels and Hospitals
• Factories, Warehouses and Industrial Units
• All non domestic premises including those used by the self employed.
• Holiday cottages, Guest Houses and Bed & Breakfast Establishments.

There are very few exceptions from the requirement to undertake a fire risk assessment.

Who is responsible?

• Employer with control of a workplace
• Persons with overall management of a building
• Occupier of the premises,  owner of a premises
• Landlords and Managing Agents

Anybody who has a degree of control over the premises or part of premises can be a 'responsible person'.  If this person is you, then you need to consider what you can do to protect yourself, others using the premises and those who may be affected by any fire within the premises.
A Responsible Person is
The employer, if the workplace is to any extent under his control
Or
The person who has control of the premises
Or
The owner

The responsible person must

• Take such general fire precautions as will ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of any of his employees and
• In relation to relevant persons who are not his employees, take such general fire precautions as may reasonably be required in the circumstances of the case to ensure the premises are safe.

Competent Person
A person is to be regarded as competent for the purposes of the Fire Safety Order where he or she has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable them to properly assist in undertaking the preventative and protective measures.
Relevant Persons
Any person who is or may be lawfully on the premises
and
Any person in the immediate vicinity of the premises who is at risk from a fire on the premises