What must you do?

• carry out a fire risk assessment identifying any possible dangers and risks;

• consider who may be especially at risk;

• eliminate or reduce the risk from fire as far as is reasonably possible and

• provide general fire precautions to deal with any possible risk left;

• take other measures to make sure there is protection if flammable or explosive materials are used or stored;

• create a plan to deal with any emergency and, in most cases, keep a record of your findings;

• review your findings when necessary.

How to comply

If you are the responsible person, you must make sure you carry out a fire risk assessment although you can pass this task to some other competent person.

However, you will still be responsible, in law, for meeting the order.

The responsible person, either on their own or with any other responsible person, must as far as is reasonably practical make sure that everyone on the premises, or nearby, can escape safely if there is a fire. This is different from previous legislation in that you must consider everyone who might be on your premises, whether they are employees,visitors or members of the public, for example, at an open-air entertainment venue. You should pay particular attention to people who may have a disability or anyone who may need special help. The order says that you must manage any fire risk in your premises. Fire authorities no longer issue fire certificates and those previously in force will have no legal status.

You must still carry out a fire risk assessment but any fire certificates you have may be useful as a good starting point. If your premises have been designed and built in line with modern building regulations (and are being used in line with those regulations), your structural fire precautions should be acceptable. You will still need to carry out a fire risk assessment and make sure that you keep up all fire precautions and maintenance routines. Fire Warden Training possibilities are available at companies like UK Fire Safety Solutions who travel nationwide.

Do I have to have a Fire Risk Assessment?

Yes - The new law applies to EVERY business, and places a duty of care on the Employer, Occupier or Owner as the Responsible Person to appoint a Competent Person to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment of the premises. If your organisation employs five or more people or your premises are licensed or an alteration notice requiring it is in force , then significant findings of the Fire Risk Assessment must be recorded.