Fire Safety Law for Business and Business Owners

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into effect in October 2006 and replaced over 70 pieces of fire safety law.
The Order applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including the common parts of blocks of flats or houses in multiple occupation (HMOs). The law applies to you if you are:
responsible for business premises
an employer or self-employed with business premises
responsible for a part of a dwelling where that part is solely used for business purposes
a charity or voluntary organisation
a contractor with a degree of control over any premises
Under the Order, the responsible person must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan. The rules state that if you have less than 5 employees then the risk assessment can 'be in your head'. Can you imagine the conversation you will have if when the Fire Risk Assessment Officer calls round? So why not do a paper version anyway and be on the safe side.

A good example of such a form can be found on the Communities and Local Government website (see link over on left).

For starters here is a copy below.


A.2 Example form for recording significant findings
Risk Assessment – Record of significant findings
Risk assessment for
Building:

Location:
Assessment undertaken by
Date:
Completed by:
Signature:
Sheet number Floor/area:
Use:
Step 1 – Identify fire hazards
Sources of ignition

Sources of fuel

Sources of oxygen

Step 2 – People at risk


Step 3 – Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk
(3.1) Evaluate the risk of the fire occurring

(3.2) Evaluate the risk to people from a fire starting in the premises

(3.3) Remove and reduce the hazards that may cause a fire

(3.4) Remove and reduce the risks to people from a fire




Assessment review
Assessment/review date

Completed by

Signature

Review outcome (where substantial changes have occurred a new record sheet should be used)
Notes:
(1) The risk assessment record of significant findings should refer to other plans, records or other documents as necessary.
(2) The information in this record should assist you to develop an emergency plan; co-ordinate measures with other ‘responsible persons’ in the building; and to inform and train staff and inform other relevant persons.