A reminder of employers responsibilities for fire safety

Business fire safety obligations

Each business should have a designated ‘responsible’ person for the purpose of fire safety. They should:

• Regularly undertake and review a fire risk assessment of the business premises this should take into account fire hazards (fuel, ignition and oxygen), people’s location around the premises, risks (of a fire starting, risk to people, fire hazards and obstacles for a fast and smooth evacuation).
• Inform staff about the risks identified
• Put in place, and maintain, appropriate fire safety measures – such as equipping a fire detection system, making sure there is protection if flammable or explosive materials are used or stored and ensuring there are accessible exit routes
• Create and publicISe within the business a plan for an emergency
• Equip staf with information, fire safety instruction and training

Local fire and rescue authorities have the right to inspect premises and can issue fire safe notices with changes your business needs to make in relation to fire safety. If you do not follow the current UKfire safety regulations you could be fined or sent to prison.

The government has produced an excellent guide for businesses about how to comply fire safety law. See- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: a short guide to makin,your premises safe from fire

In the guide fire precautions recommended to businesses include:

• A fire-detection and warning system which is able to warn people in all circumstances
• A means of fighting a small fire in the form of multi-purpose fire extinguishers with guaranteed shelf life. Typically there should be 1 extinguisher for every 200 m2 of floor space and at least one extinguisher per floor.
• Designated safe routes for people to exit the premises – ideally there should be more than one route and stainways, corridors and areas near fire exits need to be clear of obstructions and flammable materials
• Suitable fire exit doors which do not need a key or specialist knowledge to open them

Other fire safety measures

It is also sensible to consider these other fire safety measures as part of your planning:

• Emergency lighting or photo luminescent strips which can guide people to fire exits if the normal lighting electricity source fails
• Fire safety signage pointing the quickest and safest exit routes An ongoing management process to ensure fire safety systems in the business are regularly checked and re-assessed
• A regular training programme to ensure staff are fully knowledgeable of fire risks in the premises and the procedure to follow if a fire breaks out.

When it comes to purchasing fire safety equipment and services, the Fire Industry
Association, is a good source of knowledge for the relevant British Standards. The
information they provide can help you to select equipment which meets the latest safety standards. The FlA can also guide you on its accredited members for selection and installation of fire equipment.