Health & Safety News Brief
Occupational Health & Safety Information Service
Survey reveals 50% of UK businesses are still in the dark about fire safety reform
The new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order will come into force from October 2006, and any business or premises owners failing to comply face serious legal consequences including hefty fines or, in the event of a fire-related fatality, imprisonment.
However, despite this threat a survey conducted by Corus Fire Engineering has revealed that 35 percent of businesses in England and Wales (1 ) are unaware of how the new reform will affect them, whilst nearly 50 percent of respondents admitted they were uncertain as to how they go about making sure they are compliant.
These findings come in the wake of an ODPM announcement issued earlier this year stating that the original enforcement date was being put back from 1 April to 01 October 2006 to allow businesses and fire safety experts more time to get ready for the new regulations.
Dr Brian Kirby Corus Fire Engineering Business and Technical Manager comments: “No business welcomes the introduction of red tape, but our survey findings clearly indicate that for many businesses the responsibility of trying to familiarise themselves with a new regime whilst keeping on top of everyday business concerns is proving to be something of a juggling act.”
He continues: “The repercussions of a major fire incident are so serious that up to 80 per cent of businesses never actually recover (2). The new legislation is an important reform and its successful implementation is vital, -people’s livelihoods and indeed lives depend on it.”
From October 2006 the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order will apply to the vast majority of commercial premises and workplaces in the UK, and signifies a major step change in current fire safety legislation. Fire Risk Assessments will replace the existing fire certificates issued annually by the fire brigade. Employers or commercial building owners must now take responsibility for seeking out expert advice to complete their own fire risk assessment.
Dr Kirby continues: “There is an urgent need to make sure that businesses are correctly educated in the details of this new legislation, and ensure that a robust and adequate fire safety management programme is introduced and maintained. Despite the risk of prosecution we are still finding that many businesses are putting themselves in jeopardy through a basic lack of understanding of what constitutes as compliance. Even with all the right physical measures in place, if a company cannot produce the authorised documentation to verify that work has been completed, they leave themselves wide open to prosecution.”
“A properly conducted assessment will benefit a business, in terms of both satisfying the legal requirements relating to the safety of employees, and providing a safer overall environment that reduces the risk of fire damaging or destroying the business.”
(1) Corus Fire Engineering conducted a survey across 958 businesses based in England and Wales. Scottish authorities are developing similar fire safety legislation and supporting guidance for Scotland separately. The new rules are expected to come into force in October 2006 at the earliest.
(2) Fire claims in commercial properties are on the increase. According to statistics issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, whilst the number of fires may be falling, the overall financial effect of any occurring is becoming more serious - figures for 2005 are approaching £800 million in property loss alone, with loss of business being considerably more.
Corus Fire Engineering (CFE) has more than 20 years’ experience of fire engineering research and design. They offer a comprehensive and reliable Fire Risk Assessment service which is backed up by a wealth of experience in both life and property fire safety. All CFE assessors have significant fire safety experience gained from either a fire authority or fire insurance background ensuring that fire risk assessment is completed to the highest possible standards with a service that is comprehensive and on hand with advice.
Each Fire Risk Assessment is thoroughly tailored to the needs of the business or premises and will ensure that all potential fire risks are accounted for and, where required, expertly advised to ensure necessary investment is well spent. Corus Fire Engineering will undertake the necessary liaison with the Fire Authority in order for your company to comply with its legal obligation. www.thefireengineers.com
The Department of Communities and Local Government has developed a set of 11 guidance documents to provide practical advice on how to comply with the new legislation available at: www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1162115