Fire Blankets

Introduction

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into force on the 1st October 2006. The regulation amends or replaces 118 pieces of legislation, the most significant being the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and the Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations 1999. The aim of the regulation is to rationalise and consolidate legislation into one simpler piece, leading to a safer workplace. It will apply to all workplaces in England and Wales. Workplaces within Scotland now fall under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.

The new legislation places the responsibility of fire safety on the employer or 'responsible person' for that premises or building.

The 'responsible person' will need to ensure that a fire risk assessment has been conducted to establish the risk of fire and then take steps to remove or reduce them.

Fire certificates, which were issued under the previous regulations, will be abolished and become invalid however inspections will still continue. Failure to comply with the new regulations may lead to legal action resulting in a fine or up to two years imprisonment.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

Failure to comply with The Regulatory (Fire Safety) Order 2005 as highlighted above could lead to severe legal action. In order for premises to meet the requirements of the regulations:

• A 'responsible person' of the workplace (usually the employer) will need to take such general fire precautions as will ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of any of his employees and any other persons who may legally come onto the premises.
• The responsible person must make a suitable and sufficient assessment.
• Any such assessments must be reviewed by the responsible person to keep it up up-to-date particular if there is reason to suspect that it is no longer valid or whether there have been any significant changes to the premises or organisation structure.
• As soon as practicable after the assessment is made or reviewed, the responsible person must record the information where he employs five or more employees.

Fire Risk Assessment

The responsible person for each workplace premises will be required to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment to establish the current risk of fire. These risks should then be acted upon to ensure that they are controlled to be either reduced or eliminated. This risk assessment should be regularly reviewed, especially if working procedures are changed or structural changes are made. It should also be reviewed if the responsible person suspects that the assessment is no longer valid.

The following checklist can be used as a guide to aid you with your fire risk assessment and where to find a solution to reduce the risk of fire:

Risk Assessment

• Do you have a risk assessment recording format?

Fire Fighting and Fire Detection

• Are your premises equipped with appropriate fire fighting equipment?
• Is your fire fighting equipment clearly identified and locatable?

Emergency Escape Routes

• Do all emergency routes and exits lead as directly as possible to a place of safety?
• Are all people’s needs catered for in the event of emergency escape situation? (E.g. Evacuation Chairs for people with a physical impairment)
• Are all emergency routes and exits clearly identified by illumination and emergency lighting?

Procedures for Serious and Imminent Danger and for Danger Areas

• Is access to danger areas restricted to authorised persons only?
• Are all authorised persons given (so far as practical) equipment to protect them from the danger risk?
• Are all dangerous substances clearly identified and relevant safety data sheets provided prior to work?
• Are all dangerous substances kept in appropriate storage?

Maintenance

• Is all fire fighting equipment fully maintained and serviced with written documentation?

Provision of Information for Employees

• Can the responsible person provide comprehensive and relevant information of the risks to employees as identified by the risk assessment?
• Are all outside employees (E.g. contractors) given the relevant information on the risks of fire and the preventive and protective measures within the premises?

Training

• Have/are all employees given adequate safety / reshresher training at a time when they are first employed?
• Have all employees training been officially recorded?

Inspections and Enforcement

Inspections from the local fire authorities may be unannounced to inspect the premises, fire risk assessment and all fire safety records. Failure to meet the obligations of the Fire Safety Order could lead to legal action resulting in a heavy fine or up to two years imprisonment.

To find out more view all Fire Safety Legislation

Safetyshop offers over 25,000 workplace safety products, including safety signs, personal protective equipment and pedestrian & traffic control products. Legislation and standards are subject to constant change and every effort is made to ensure that signs and other products conform to current legislation or standards.

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Contact Safetyshop with your workplace safety product requirements, including safety signs, personal protective equipment and pedestrian & traffic control products. Legislation and standards are subject to constant change and every effort is made to ensure that signs and other products conform to current legislation or standards.