We here at Swift Fire and Safety understand the importance of complying with UK fire safety regulations, but we also know that there are lots of things to consider in order to make sure that happens. In the blog below we will discuss what the fire safety regulations are and the steps that need to be taken to ensure that you and your business are completely up to date with all necessary fire prevention and detection methods.
Fire Legislation
Understanding that it is their responsibility to adhere to UK fire safety standards is imperative for business owners as repercussions for failing to do so can be severe.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, 2005 incorporates all laws pertaining to fire safety in business properties in England and Wales. It gives people in charge of putting safety safeguards and processes in place, such as fire risk assessments and fire safety gear, explicit instructions.
Here, we examine who is ultimately in charge of ensuring fire safety on commercial property and outline the steps that a “responsible person” is required by law to do.
Fire Risk Assessment
Documented fire risk assessments are required for any organisations with more than four employees. All fire safety protocols and preventative measures are built on a fire risk assessment.
There are five main areas you must consider when undertaking a fire risk assessment, the first of which being identifying potential fire hazards. This can include the location of heaters and the type of materials the building is made up of. Secondly, it is important to make a note of who is most at risk should a fire break out. There may be people with mobility issues or perhaps there are some people who work in more remote parts of the premises. Once any risks have been identified it is important to evaluate the risk and take any steps necessary to mitigate it whether that be fire prevention or detection. Once these things have been decided on and recorded a plan can be set up. Evacuation routes should be finalised and roles should be assigned to various members of staff who have received sufficient training. Finally, when all of this has been completed the assessment must be regularly reviewed to accommodate changing circumstances.
Fire Safety Equipment and Signs
You will require any or all of the following, though specific needs vary depending on each company’s fire risk:
1) A properly maintained fire extinguisher
2) A fire detection system
3) A sprinkler system
4) Emergency lighting
Fire Safety Log Book
It is imperative to have one of these log books as it is required to have one on a business’ premises at all times. The fire authority will inspect this book to ensure that you have been following the proper fire safety regulations. Additionally, you must document any fire-related occurrences’ specifics, including how they were handled and whether any injuries were reported.
Enforcement Notices
Depending on how seriously you disobeyed a fire safety inspection, the fire authorities may issue you with several notices. These consist of:
Alterations Notice
These are issued to premises representing a high safety risk
Enforcement Notice
This will refer to a major problem found by the fire authority during an inspection and provide a deadline for resolving it.
Prohibition Notice
A restriction notice will restrict or forbid access to your premises if there is an urgent threat to life from fire.
Ramifications
Some less significant fire code violations are still subject to fines of up to £5,000, with potential financial consequences for serious offences being unlimited and can also lead to up to two years in prison.
In the event of a fire, even if there has been no injuries, your business can suffer many detrimental effects. The inability to keep up with clients and orders often means that there is a substantial hit to a company’s reputation and can lead to insolvency over time.
Contact Us
Making sure that you and your business are in line with all current UK fire safety regulations is imperative. So, if you are in need of a professional fire risk assessment, fire extinguishers, fire detection systems or any of the other services we offer please do not hesitate to contact us. Call us today on 01733 602 955 or fill out our simple online contact form.