Legislation and Standards
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, 2005 (FSO) came into effect from October 2006. A common finding is the unawareness / neglect of an employer to comply with this order and the need to produce a fire risk assessment. A HM Government Document ‘A short guide to making your premises safe from fire’ provides a simplified procedure to compliance.
GBSG can work with you and the findings of the risk assessment to provide the professional advice regarding a fire alarm and the coverage that may be required. Being the ‘competent persons’ GBSG can provide a maintenance package, where you are confident that efficient, industry trained engineers will service the system and in an emergency the alarm will operate correctly and provide the earliest possible warning.
The FSO requires: -
- general duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of employees, in the case of fire
- person responsible for the premises MUST carry out a fire risk assessment (MUST = mandatory)
- requires employers to arrange for and act upon the fire risk assessment
Failure to carry this out would be in breach of law where fire authorities retain the power to issue enforcement or prohibition notices.
The responsibility to comply rests with ‘the responsible person’, in the workplace this is the employer and any other person who may have control e.g. the occupant or owner.
The person carrying out a fire risk assessment must focus on the safety of all persons, paying particular attention to those of special needs, disabilities and that of young persons. It must include consideration of hazards, the probability of fire and the consequences on the premises.
The fire risk assessment will assist in identifying the risks how they can be reduced or removed and how they can be used to aid the decision as to the nature and extent of the fire precautions required e.g. procedures, emergency routes and exits, signage, fire fighting equipment and the probability of a fire alarm with automatic fire detection/warning systems and the extent of the required coverage.
There is the requirement to appoint ‘competent persons’, who are suitably trained to provide maintenance for system and equipment. They can ensure effective working and that systems are in good repair.
The fire risk assessment should be documented, kept securely ‘off site’ and reviewed on a regular basis.
contact GBSG to discuss our fire alarms.
