Press Releases from the Arson Task Force
Date: Monday 14 August, 2006
NEW FIRE REGULATIONS ARE HOT NEWS FOR BUSINESSES
Businesses across the West Midlands are being urged to prepare for major changes to fire safety laws that come into force later this year.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, which comes into force on October 1, 2006, will cover all premises except for single private dwellings, including businesses, houses in multiple occupation and voluntary sector premises.
One of the most immediate implications for businesses is that Fire Certificates will be abolished and will cease to have legal status.
Under the new regulations, responsibility for fire safety provisions, training of personnel and maintenance of the premises will rest with the 'responsible person' or 'person in control' - e.g. owner, employer, occupier, landlord or tenant, contractor.
The main emphasis of the change is a move towards preventing fires. The 'responsible person' for premises and businesses will be required to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment and take steps to remove or reduce the risk within the premises. The 'responsible person' will have a duty to ensure the safety of everyone who uses their premises and those in the immediate vicinity who may be at risk in the event of a fire.
Inspections will be carried out by the Fire and Rescue Service on all types of premises and failure to comply with the legislation may lead to enforcement action and possibly prosecution.
The West Midlands Arson Task Force has put together a package of information and advice on fire safety and risk assessment called Keep Your Business in Business. This can be downloaded from www.wmfs.net/arson/kybib.jsp.
In order to assist people in complying with the new regulations a series of 11 guides, for different property types, can be found on the website for the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG): http://www.communities.gov.uk.
Further information and advice on the new regulations, or any other fire safety issues, can be obtained by contacting one of the local Fire Safety Centres located at Aston, Coventry, Hay Mills, Oldbury and Wolverhampton.
The new Fire Safety Order covers England and Wales and consolidates existing legislation to create a single regime that will be easier for businesses to understand and implement. It was developed with stakeholders from the fire industry, unions, businesses, interested parties and others.
Issued by Mike Fox, Media Relations Officer, 0121 380 6101.
For daily updated media information, please call the Fire Service Media Voicebank on 0871 550 0056.