Protect your business with good fire prevention

Are you fully compliant with the rules?
Do you have proper risk assessments in place?

During 2006, the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 took place. This introduced significant changes to the way fire authorities will enforce the law from 2006 and all commercial property owners or tenants will need to be aware of the changes.

Previously commercial properties had a duty to be carrying out fire risk assessments. Many didn't, because they possessed a fire certificate and therefore felt this was sufficient. With the introduction of the new regulations from 2006 the fire certificates will be withdrawn, and the fire authorities will begin a process of checking that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are being carried out.

If you already carry out fire risk assessments you need to make sure the assessments are 'adequate and sufficient' and the documentation is readily available for inspection when the fire officer knocks on your door. If it is, and if the fire officer regards it as adequate for your premises, you have fulfilled your obligations to the fire authority and your employees. If it is not you will have a small window of opportunity to put things right before enforcement action is taken.

If you don't do risk assessments you are going to be on a very steep learning curve to comply with the law, and have to either provide resources to carry these out (regularly), or appoint a third party to do so on your behalf. You are probably already in breach of current regulations.

The fire authorities are looking for:

What fire risks are present

Who is at risk from those hazards

What control measures (if any) are in place to address those hazards

Any additional measures that the company may need to take

Any remaining risks which may need to be actively managed.

A proper fire management plan for the premises.

Your current duties under H&S involve conducting proper risk assessments on all areas of your commercial premises, carrying out fire drills, making sure fire fighting equipment is both adequate and the servicing is up to date, training fire wardens, making sure your fire alarm and emergency lighting is tested, etc. Many companies simply add this duty to an already overworked manager thereby reducing the probability of it being done correctly, and at worst putting lives at risk.

When was the last time you looked hard at what a serious fire could do to your business? Would it survive without your premises and equipment? Would your insurance pay out if it was found that your inspections had not been carried out, your extinguishers had not been serviced, or your staff were not trained how to react? I doubt it.

For a small outlay you could have that complete peace of mind that everything was not only up to date, but that in the worst case scenario your business was in a much stronger position to survive and grow.

If PJ Facilities could be of assistance to your business with any aspect of fire risk assessments, staff training, or equipment checks, please call me on 0870 4422 037, or email to enquiries@pjfacilities.co.uk.