Lots of people talk about the “new” fire legislation – but it has been in force since October 2006, and now fire services are stepping up enforcement visits. Fire Certificates have been abolished, so your fire safety is employer led – by having a fire risk assessment, a fire safety policy and proof of fire safety management. 

Fire risk assessment needs to be undertaken by someone competent and should identify fire hazards: What might burn, what might set it alight, who might be harmed, and how likely? 

It will also address adequacy of fire precautions – drills and alarm tests, emergency lighting, extinguishers, detection, alarm and planned preventative maintenance of these items and also your electrical safety – after arson, electrical fault starts more fires in workplaces than anything else. Scarily, well over 50% of Surrey Fire and Rescue attendances between 0700 and 1900 to businesses are because of false alarms caused by poor or no maintenance of fire alarms. Fire Safety Management means having records of planned preventative maintenance, statutory inspections, such as portable appliances and fixed wiring checks, training, drills and so on.

Another area that catches out businesses of every size out is the mandatory requirement to train all staff in fire safety, not just a designated number of fire wardens or marshals. Many businesses we help have no training in place, and training records are one of the first things an inspecting fire officer will ask to see.  Training also has to be repeated from time to time.

Need help with fire risk assessment, or fire safety training?  This is an area that we deliver to lots of businesses, from small organisations to local authorities. Ask for a quote – you might be surprised how competitive we are.
However don’t do nothing. Training and assessment is far cheaper than a fine!

Contact Keith Allen for further information on 07780 846312