A guide to fire safety regulation for small business owners including links to guides on how to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
As a small business owner you will probably be aware that there are measures you must take to ensure the fire safety of your business premises. There are now specialist firms who will advise you as how to comply with the relevant legislation but you may, as a sole trader or small business owner, find the costs involved prohibitive.
In many cases it is not necessary to employ a specialist consultant as the regulations are fairly straightforward and not difficult to understand. There are two main areas of legislation and these apply to the premises and to processes employed within. The latter only applying where you are handling, or storing, flammable materials.
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – RRFSO
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places responsibility upon business and building owners to carry out a risk assessment in terms of fire safety within their premises and applies to most types of building, including:
- Offices and Shops
- Care Homes
- Pubs, Social Clubs, Cafes and Restaurants
- Hotels and Guest Houses
- Factories, Warehouses and Industrial Plants
- Communal or shared areas in multiple occupation buildings
Main Duties
The act requires a the business manager, building owner, or other nominated person to be responsible for:
- Fire Safety Risk Assessments
- Reducing the risk of fire
- Taking extra precautions where flammable or explosive materials are stored on the premises
- Creating an emergency plan in the event of fire
Guidance
The Department for Communities and Local Government, who oversee implementation of the act, have produced a range of guides:
- Simple guide to fire safety for business owners
- Offices and Shops
- Factories and Warehouses
- Sleeping Accommodation
- Residential Care Premises
- Educational Premises
- Open Air Events and Venues
- Healthcare premises
- Transport Premises and Facilities
- Means of Escape for Disabled People
- Fire Safety Risk Assessment Check-list
Process Fire Precautions
These deal with fire precautions in the work place when using or storing materoials which pose a risk of fire. These include:
- The storage of flammable liquids
- Ventilation systems to remove flammable gas or vapour
- Extraction systems to remove combustible materials such as wood dust
Process fire precautions are enforced by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) or your the Local Authority, under the:
- Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002
The Dangerous Substances Act includes a risk assessment requirement as well as measures for reducing risks from fire and explosion arising from dangerous substances at the workplace. The act also requires employers to maintain work processes in an efficient state, in working order and in good repair.
For some business types the HSE has enforcement responsibility for all fire precautions
