Fire Risk Assessments

On the 1st April 2006 the Regulatory reform (Fire & Safety) order, came into force. All existing fire legislation has been repealed including the Fire Precautions Act 1971, Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997/99 and Management of Health & Safety in the Workplace Regulations 1999.

It is important to understand that fire risk assessment is not the same as a fire certificate. Every business owner and employer must be able to demonstrate the following:

• All fire risks have been assessed and the results recorded with written fire risk assessments.

• Records to show that firefighting equipment has been provided, properly maintained and regularly inspected.

• An Emergency Action Plan has been written, confirmed and published.

• Staff have received fire training in the use of equipment & procedures in the event of fire.

• There are adequate means of fire detection, warning systems and escape routes in place to allow people to leave the building safely.

• Action plans have been formulated and signed off to indicate proposed completion dates and actual completion dates.