Business Owners in The Line of Fire

Did you know that three quarters of all businesses that are destroyed by fire never successfully continue in business?  Many of these fires lead to severe loss of life and crippling injuries.  Fire is estimated to cost the UK economy £7bn. annually. 

Excuses Kill - Get Protected NOW!

Every day in the UK, 2 people die and another 50 are injured by fire.  That's nearly 800 deaths a year and 17,000 injuries.  If 800 people died in a plane crash due to poor safety procedures, there would be a national uproar.  But because these people die in ones and twos, they are hardly noticed. 

The Six Important Actions Every Business Owner Must Take To Comply With The New Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is expected to come into effect on the 1st April 2006.  The Order broadly applies to the majority of premises and workplaces in the UK.  This Order consolidates the existing fire safety legislation into one set of Regulations. 

The Order also firmly places a responsibility on the designated 'Responsible Person' and outlines all the measures that must be taken to ensure the safety of all the people he or she is directly or indirectly responsible for.  Enforcing authorities are allowed to make sure that it is enacted (by force if necessary) and set penalties if it is not.  The person responsible must maintain a clear Means of Escape, Signs, Notices, Emergency Lighting, Fire Detection & Alarms and Extinguishers. 

A Responsible Person is defined as the person who owns the premises or business or the person with control over the premises, business or activity.  Where two or more responsible persons share responsibility, (e.g. tenant / landlord, multiple tenancy building or adjacent premises) the responsible persons must co-operate, share information and collaborate to provide measures. 

What actions do you need to take as a business owner / operator ?

1. Conduct a Fire Risk Assessment:  This is not the same as a fire certificate.  Every business owner and employer must:
   1. Provide and maintain fire fighting equipment.  The risk assessment must be formally recorded if you employ five or more people. 
   2. Assess the fire risk in their workplace.
   3. Check that fires can be detected and people can be warned in enough time to leave the building safely.
   4. Check that there is a safe route for leaving the building.
   5. Instruct your employees so that they know what to do in the event of a fire.
      
2. Provide Fire Fighting Equipment
   1. You may be required to provide portable fire extinguishers.  See page 5 for help in deciding the most appropriate equipment for your premises. 
   2. Decide on what type of fire detector is suitable for your premises.  Before installing a fire detection system, you are advised to discuss your requirements with a reputable Fire Security Company and advice the local fire authority.
   3. An appropriate fire detection and alarm system must be in place. 
   4. You are advised to make sure your extinguishers comply with British Standards.
   5. You must take measures to reduce the risk of fire spreading, including appropriate use of fire resistant walls, checking doors are kept in good order and ensuring fire doors have appropriate seals and closing devices.
      
3. Maintain and Test your fire equipment:  All fire protection equipment and fire fighting equipment must be regularly checked and maintained. 
   1. Check that all alarm systems are working and report and record any failures. The person who does the maintenance must be competent and you may need to provide evidence that they are.
   2. Make sure all emergency lighting is working.
   3. All escape routes are kept clear.
   4. All fire escapes can be opened without delay.
   5. All fire exit signs are in the correct position.
      
4. Ensure you provide an adequate means of escape:  This is an important part of your plan. Some of your considerations should include;
   1. Ensuring that there is a clear passage to all escape routes. Do not use escape routes for storage.  Means of escape should be available at all times. 
   2. Implementing arrangements for disabled persons.
   3. Informing and training all employees in how to escape the building.
   4. Installing emergency lighting.
   5. Identifying all escape routes with appropriate signs.
      
5. Train your staff:
   1. You must provide all employees with training so they know what to do in the event of a fire.
   2. You should carry out a fire drill at least once a year.
   3. Keep good records:  You should keep the following records:
   4. Record of risk assessments for fire hazards.
   5. Records of the fire fighting arrangements in place to control the fire risk.
   6. Details of the contact at your local fire authority.
   7. Fire Log Book with details of all maintenance and service carried out and testing policies
      
6. Keep good records: You should keep the following records:
   1. Record of risk assessments for fire hazards.
   2. Records of the fire fighting arrangements in place to control the fire risk.
   3. Details of the contact at your local fire authority.
   4. Fire Log Book with details of all maintenance and service carried out and testing policies

If you need assistance with your Fire Risk Assessment, click on this link.