The Regulations

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 consolidates more than 70 separate pieces of Fire Safety Legislation and finally simplifies the law for everybody with a “workplace”.

From October 1st 2006 the responsibility for fire safety lays with employers, self-employed with premises, voluntary organisations, those responsible for buildings with public access and any contractor who exercises a degree of control over any premises.

The new legislation covers nearly every type of building, structure and open space (except for private homes and individual flats in a block or house, although communal areas will be affected).

The RRO negates the need for “Fire Certificates” and now includes all previously “excepted” premises:

  1. A ‘responsible person’ must be appointed and will have a duty to ensure the safety of everyone who uses their premises and those in the immediate vicinity who may be at risk if there is a fire.
  2. The ‘responsible person’ must ensure that fire protection equipment (for example, fire extinguishers) and facilities are maintained in good working order, and that training is up to date.
  3. The ‘responsible person’ must complete a detailed Fire Risk Assessment.  If 5 or more people are employed (full or part-time, employed or volunteer) then the ‘responsible person’ must record the significant findings in writing.
  4. The rest of the regulations refer to the outcome of the Fire Risk Assessment.

The Fire Brigade have now set challenging targets for 2010 to enforce the regulations.

Attachments