Fire Risk Legislation update
Fire Risk Legislation Information update
The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 came into force on 15th November 2010, whereby it is a legal requirement that non-domestic premises employing 5 or more people must have in place a written fire risk assessment, undertaken by someone who is considered knowledgeable and competent, i.e. someone who has sufficient training, experience, knowledge or qualifications.
The Fire & Rescue Services are the enforcers of this legislation and have considerable powers, including enforcement and prohibtion notices and ultimately prosecution.
Planet Environmental Design has already carried out a fire risk assessment across N. Ireland for a broad range of organizations, including all the assessments for Hughes Insurance Group, McKibbins,Kerr Group, the YMCA .
The assessments are performed by fully insured,highly qualified and experienced fire risk assessors.
Having a written fire risk assessment in place is important from a number of aspects:
Health & Safety – the organisation has a legal responsibility and duty of care to both staff and visitors
Insurance – claims may be disputed if no risk assessment or unsuitable risk assessment in place
Corporate responsibility – directors/senior managers have responsibility for any breach of duty of care
Useful Links:
For further information on the new regulations, please see the NIFRS website http://www.nifrs.org/fire_safety.php?sec=1166
Fire and Rescue Services ( NI ) Order 2006 can be viewed.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si2006/20061254.htm