| The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 comes into force October 2006. The Order amends or replaces 118 pieces of legislation, the most significant being the repeal of the 1997 Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations and the 1971 Fire Precautions Act. Fire Certificates issued under The Fire Precautions Act 1971 will cease to have legal status.
A responsible person in each workplace will be required to ensure the safety of employees and any person who may legally come onto their premises, or any person not on the premises who may be affected. The Responsible Person will normally be the owner of the premises or business, or the person in control of the premises, business or activity. If two or more people share control (e.g. tenant/landlord) the responsible persons must co-operate and work together to provide suitable fire safety measures.
So what has to be done?
Fire Risk Assessment
A Fire Risk Assessment must be carried out by a competent person. This can be done in house if appropriate, and should be reviewed annually. If no major changes have taken place to the workplace in this time, there is not a requirement to have the risk assessment redone.
Means Of Escape
You must provide means of escape and ensure that they are available at all times. Escape doors must be easily and immediately openable without the use of a key.
Signs and Notices
Appropriate signs and notices must be provided:
Giving instructions to employees
Indicating the position of fire fighting equipment
Indicating emergency routes and exits
Fire Detection and Alarm
A means of sounding the alarm throughout the workplace must be available. In smaller premises this can simply be a shout or rotary bell, but in larger premises a fire alarm system will be required.
In premises where the onset of fire may not be quickly apparent, or where staff may be working in remote areas fire detection should also be installed.
Emergency Lighting
Emergency lighting will need to be installed on escape routes where necessary.
Compartments and Doors
All fire resisting walls and ceilings should have no breaches. Fire doors should be kept in good order and have appropriate seals and closing devices.
Fire Fighting Equipment
You must provide fire fighting equipment and it must be regularly serviced. This may include extinguishers, sprinklers, hose reels and risers.
Training
All employees must be given fire safety training when they commence employment, and receive refresher training as appropriate. You may need to nominate and train Fire Marshals. The employer must carry out regular fire drills.
Employees
All employees whether employed directly or indirectly, must receive fire safety information relating to the workplace. This will include cleaning and maintenance staff who may be at work in your premises with no other staff members present.
Documents and Records
You must keep records of all fire safety issues, training, maintenance, risk assessments and procedures. These must be available for inspection by the Fire Authority.
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