DCLG announces Fire Safety Reform

Department for Communities and Local Government announce changes to existing Fire Safety Legislation.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced changes to existing Fire Safety Legislation.

Those responsible for business premises, employers, self-employed with business premises and contractors with a degree of control over part or all of the premises, will have a responsibility to undertake a Fire Risk Assessment and if necessary, act upon the findings.

Failure to undertake or indeed act upon the assessment is enforced by the Fire Authority and may lead to a significant penalty and/or imprisonment for non-compliance.

The Fire Authority has the power to close down any unsafe building or part of the building which is used as a place of work.

Jason Warren, Principal Consultant at Turner and Townsend with a CFPA European Diploma in Fire Prevention and as Member of the Institute of Fire Prevention Officers, said: "Whether you are a small or large organisation, fire and its consequences pose a serious and significant risk to your business".

"The new Fire Safety Law, which comes into force on 1 October 2006, will make it the duty of those responsible for business premises to ensure the safety of anyone and everyone who uses their premises".

In order to comply with the new Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety) 2005, a risk assessment should be carried out by a competent person, this being the employer, an employee (responsible person) or an external consultant.

Turner and Townsend specialists have undertaken fire safety audits and fire risk assessments for clients including Monsoon, Yorkshire Forward and Bury College.

Turner and Townsend undertake a multi-stage approach to fire risk assessment as developed in line with best practice, including a physical inspection of the property and its existing emergency systems, a review of the management procedures, an assessment of training requirements and interviews with key personnel.

Recommendations are then provided in the form of an action plan which forms part of a comprehensive report which can be provided in hard copy format, electronic format or on a database allowing clients to manage the remedial works in a structured way.

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