Where does the order apply?
The order applies to virtually all premises and covers nearly every type of building, structure and open space.
For example, it applies to:
- Offices & Shops
- Factories & Warehouses
- Sleeping accommodation
- Health care premises
- Residential Care premises
- Educational premises
- Places of assembly
- Transport premises & facilities
- Theatres & cinemas
- Outdoor event locations
The order applies to all buildings apart from private homes or individual flats. The Government intends to provide a series of guidance documents which can be downloaded free of charge from www.communities.gov.uk.
Who is responsible for meeting the order?
Under the order, anyone who has control of premises or anyone who has a degree of control over certain areas or systems may be a ‘responsible person’, for example, it could be:
- The employer, for those parts of premises staff may have access to
- The managing agent or owner for shared parts of premises or shared fire safety equipment such as fire detection systems or sprinklers
- The occupier, such as self-employed people or voluntary organisations if they have any control
- Any other person who has some control over a part of the premise
What does the responsible person have to do?
The responsible person is responsible for the safety of the employees and relevant persons by effectively managing:
- Fire risk assessment
- Fire safety policy
- Fire procedures
- Fire drills
- Means of escape
- Emergency lighting
- Fire alarms and extinguishers
- Fire doors & compartments
- Fire evacuations
- Signs & notices
Morally you should comply!
A policy which aims to minimise the risk of fire, reduce its spread and providing a clear means of escape should be formulated and implemented. This policy should also cover those with special needs such as the disabled, elderly needing obvious care, short term special needs such as pregnancy or broken limbs as they may need additional time to vacate your building.
