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Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order |
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Guide for employers on documentation needed for Fire Safety to be completed to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Major fire safety reform to come into force in October ODPM Press Release 2006/0034 6th March 2006 New fire safety rules affecting ALL non-domestic premises in England and Wales will come into force 1st October 2006, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has announced. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, made in June 2005, is the biggest overhaul of fire safety legislation in decades. "The government’s over-riding aim is to save more people from death and injury by reducing risk and preventing fires. The ODPM is working with a range of partners from industry and the fire and rescue service on a publicity strategy to raise awareness of the new laws amongst those affected." More information is available at www.firesafetyguides.odpm.gov.uk - As part of the Government’s commitment to reduce death, injury and damage caused by fire, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has reviewed current fire safety law and is making a number of changes through the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO).
- The RRFSO 2005 was approved by Parliament on 7th June 2005.
- The main effect of the changes will be a move towards greater emphasis on fire prevention in all non-domestic premises, including the voluntary sector and self-employed people with premises separate from their homes.
- Fire certificates will be abolished and will cease to have legal status.
- The Fire Safety Order (FSO) will apply in England & Wales. Northern Ireland and Scotland will have their own laws.
- Responsibility for complying with the FSO will rest 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, e.g. the occupier or owner. In all other premises the person or people in control of the premises will be responsible.
- If there is more than one responsible person in any type of premises, all must take all reasonable steps to work with each other.
- If you are the responsible person you will have to carry out a fire risk assessment which must focus on the safety in the case of fire of all ‘relevant persons’. It should pay particular attention to those at special risk, such as the disabled and those with special needs, and must include consideration of any dangerous substance likely to be on the premises.
- You fire risk assessment will help you identify risks that can be removed or reduced and to decide the nature and extent of the general fire precautions you need to take to protect people against the fire risks that remain.
- If you employ five or more people you must record the finding of the risk assessment.
RP must keep a hard copy record of the Fire system data log along with that for extinguishers and emergency lighting.
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Security System Grading