Time to Review Your Fire Safety?

The introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in October 2006 marked a major change in the UK’s approach to fire safety. The old system of fire certificates was replaced with an approach that was significantly more risk assessment based, placing a greater emphasis for fire safety on employers and owners / occupiers of buildings.

We reported on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order in July 2005

The risk-based approach implemented by the fire safety order applies to (almost) all non-domestic premises – community, industrial and business. Employers, owners and occupiers are required to appoint a competent, responsible person to carry out a fire safety risk assessment, implement appropriate fire protection measures and maintain a fire management plan.

We reported on the Fire Risk Assessment approach in July 2009

The fire management plan must ensure adequate means for the detection of fire, provision of adequate fire alarms, adequate staff training and well-planned and rehearsed fire procedures.

However, all businesses are subject to constant change and it is essential that the assessment of fire-related risks are regularly reviewed and updated.

Consider how you would answer the following questions for your business:-

Do your staff know what to do in the event of a fire?
Do you have a fire risk assessment – or are you still relying on your old fire certificate?
When was your fire risk assessment last reviewed and updated?
Has the layout of your premises changed recently? Has the space you occupy expanded or contracted?
Have people with key safety-related skills recently left your company as a result of downsizing?
When did your staff last receive any fire safety training? Do you have new starters who have yet to receive any training?
Do you have a nominated Fire Warden and have they been trained?

Fire is one of the most significant hazards faced by business. Quite apart from the potential for loss of life, it is estimated that some 60-70% of businesses that experience a major fire, never trade again.

The very real risks of a fire are well recognised and understood by the enforcing authorities and they are supported by the courts as illustrated below:-

The retailer New Look was fined £500,000 in 2009 after a fire at their Oxford Street store in April 2007,
Oil-major Shell International was fined £300,000 in 2009 for fire safety breaches,
In 2010, the landlord of the Star Public House in Hillingdon, London was fined over £16,000 for breaches of the fire regulations,
Pub management company, Publicana Ltd., was fined over £20,000 in 2010 for a series of breaches at its premises, including screwing fire doors shut,
Also in 2010, the Co-operative Group was fined £210,000 plus costs for various breaches of fire safety law including:-
- not keeping emergency exits unlocked.
- lack of suitable instruction and training for staff.
- not regularly testing the fire alarm system.

To help companies understand their current position with regard to fire safety legislation, EDP have developed a one-day audit and report offering which will help you identify:-

What you should be doing.
What you are doing.
What you need to be doing.

We are currently offering this audit for £295 + VAT. A small price to pay for the reassurance that your employees and business are safe.

For further information, please contact us on +(44) 1744 766000 or by e-mail on enquiries@edp-uk.com .

Contact EDP HS&E Consultants for all your health, safety and environment needs. We can check your current arrangements and advise you about any changes or improvements you need to make.

To discuss your requirements, without any obligation on your part, please gives us a call on 01744 766000 or complete the Enquiry Form on our website.

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