Fire risk assessment

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies across England and Wales and came into force on 1 October 2006, with similar legislation now in force in Scotland under the Fire (Scotland) Act and Regulations. It affects all non-domestic premises and applies to certain activities taking place outdoors, and places the emphasis towards risk reduction and fire prevention, including the protection of the employees and the firefighter. Fire certificates are no longer issued by the Fire and Rescue Services.

Responsibility for compliance rests with the 'responsible person'. In a workplace, this is the employer and any other person who may have control of any part of the premises. In all other premises those in control of the premises will be responsible. If you are the responsible person you must carry out a proper fire risk assessment which must focus on the safety of all 'relevant persons' in case of fire. The legislation applies to virtually all premises and covers nearly every type of building, structure and open space, but excludes purely domestic premises occupied by a single family group.

What does this mean to the employer?

Risk assessment becomes the focus tool for determining the fire safety measures and becomes a main component of the legislation. The responsibility for fire safety will now sit directly with the employer or occupier, instead of the authority producing the fire certificate. This will bring the whole process in line with current health and safety philosophy regarding risk assessment and should make it easier overall. However, not all companies and organisations have the expertise available to ensure that risk assessments are conducted competently to meet the fire authorities requirements.

We can help you

Using qualified fire safety specialists, along with many years of experience in risk assessment preparation, we are able to meet your specific needs by conducting your assessments for you or training your own staff to become fire risk assessors themselves