More About Fire Regulations

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires all businesses to conduct a fire risk assessment. The new legislation came into force on 1st October 2006.

Fire Certificates are no longer valid and the primary piece of legislation is the Fire Safety Order.

The legislation identifies a 'responsible person' who needs to ensure that a suitable, sufficient and up to date fire risk assessment is on site at all times. The responsible person as outlined in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order is defined as;

The employer if the workplace is to any extent under their control.

If the above is not applicable then;

The person who has control of the premises (as occupier or otherwise) in connection with the carrying on by himself of a trade, business or other undertaking (for profit or not).

And finally if the above are not applicable then the owner of the premises.

This might sound quite daunting as it is legal jargon. Put simply, if you employ anybody and operate from a workplace then you as the employer needs to ensure that the risk assessment is in place. This doesn't mean you have to conduct the assessment - the duty can be delegated.