Fire Risk legislation update
Fire Legislation Information update February 2010
FIRE SAFETY FOR ALL BUSINESSES
This document is a brief explanation of the current and new regulations. Planet Environmental Design (PED) will update this with more information regarding the regulations as it becomes available.
Existing Regulations
Currently there are 2 fire laws applicable to all businesses:
• Fire Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1984
and
• Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001
Under the current fire regulations, most premises must have a fire certificate ,previously issued through the fire service. In addition, under the 2001 regulations you have a legal duty to carry out a fire risk assessment and if you employ more than 5 staff, you, as an employer, have a legal duty to maintain a written record of any significant findings from the fire risk assessment.
New Regulations
The Fire & Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 came into force in late 2009. This will replace the Fire Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 and the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001.
Under these new regulations businesses will no longer be issued with a fire certificate but must have a ‘suitable and sufficient’ risk assessment in place that includes all matters relating to fire precautions.
Fire Risk Assessments
The purpose of a fire risk assessment is to identify the key measures needed to safeguard the safety of employees, guests and other persons who may be affected in the event of a fire in your premises. It involves an in depth look at your premises and the people likely to use them in order to consider the risk of a fire happening and to identify the measures which need to be in place to prevent it and to ensure safety of staff and customers.
A fire risk assessment should be undertaken by someone appointed by the business to carry out the task who is considered knowledgeable and competent, i.e. someone who has sufficient training , experience , knowledge or qualifications. It does not have to be carried out by a consultant/fire safety company etc, but you can choose to use these services if you prefer.
NIFRS
Under the new legislation the role of Fire Service is to carry our periodic inspections of workplaces ,audit the risk assessment and any findings from it and to enforce the legislation where required. In cases of serious risk to persons the NIFRS can issue enforcement notices ,prohibitions notices or ultimately start prosecutions.
What can Planet Environmental Design offer?
Planet Environmental Design has established a division of experienced and professionally qualified assessors to undertake fire risk assessments. We can also offer a number of related training packages designed to guide those affected through the changes in legislation to ensure requirements are met. These range from awareness training for company personnel to duties of a nominated Fire Warden.
Our assessors are very experience in both the public and private sectors,have a health & safety/fire service background and their qualifications include:
• Nebosh Certification
• IFE Certified
• IFPO (Institute Fire Prevention Officers) Membership
• Health and Safety Advisors
All are trained to standards approved to carry out Fire risk Assessments within the UK
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