The new fire regulations, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came
into effect in October 2006. The new regulations introduce significant change.
As well as simplifying current legislation, it introduces the need for
employers, building owners and occupiers to have a greater understanding of and
responsibility for fire safety and to nominate a 'Responsible Person' to ensure
compliance.
With the exception of self-employed people with no employees who work from their
own home, the new fire regulations will apply to those responsible for business,
employers, self-employed with business premises, charity or voluntary
organisations and contractors with a degree of control over any premises.
The main requirements of the new fire regulations require each premises to:-
Appoint a Responsible Person to assume responsibility for fire safety
Carry out a fire risk assessment annually to identify the risks and hazards
based on the construction, activities and management of the building
Monitor the risks on an ongoing basis
Train staff and keep records
Under the new fire regulations 'The Responsible Person' is responsible for the
fire safety of the premises. Ideally they should be based at the premises, they
must be involved in the Fire Risk Assessment process and involved in essential
monitoring, training and recording. The Responsible Person will be instrumental
in ensuring ongoing monitoring and compliance.
Fire Precaution Services has produced bespoke questionnaires for each major
type of business – we do not use a single generic questionnaire or a 'one size
fits all' type of approach. By completing the questionnaire the 'Responsible
Person' is engaged in the Risk Assessment process and becomes more aware of fire
hazards and how they may be avoided.
Our online solution provides professional guidance to enable the Responsible
person to comply with the new fire regulations by producing a Fire Risk
Assessment effectively and quickly. Questions are answered with simple Yes/No answers.
Customers have access to technical and administrative Help Desks to deal with
any queries that may arise. Once completed the questionnaire produces an Action
Plan and Fire Risk Assessment score. The Action Plan details remedial actions
required over three timescales – short term, medium term and long term. The full
Compliance Pack sent by email includes a copy of your Fire Risk Assessment,
supplied in printable PDF format, a Fire Safety Log Book including monitoring and
recording sheets, a Fire Evacuation Policy and Staff training information. Risk
Assessments should be updated at least annually.
The new fire regulations provide enforcement officers with powers to inspect and
potentially close premises. By creating an environment involving staff, where
these new responsibilities are taken seriously, your premises and business
should become a safer place for customers and staff.
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