wessex fire & rescue service

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENTS AND THE LAW

WESSEX FIRE AND RESCUE WORK CLOSELY WITH PROFIRE AND FIRE AID INTERNATIONAL AND CAN NOW OFFER FIRE RISK ASSESSMENTS BY A COMPETENT FIRE OFFICER

THE REGULATORY REFORM FIRE SAFETY ORDER 2005 CAME IN TO FORCE IN OCTOBER 2006

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 .

THE LAW APPLIES TO YOU IF YOU ARE

RESPONSIBLE FOR BUSINESS PREMISES

AN EMPLOYER OR SELF-EMPLOYED WITH BUSINESS PREMISSES

A CHARITY OR VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION

RESPONSIBLE FOR A PART OF A DWELLING WHERE THE PART IS SOLELY USED FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES .

OR A CONTRACTOR WITH A DEGREE OF CONTROL OVER ANY PREMISES.

UNDER THE ORDER ,THE " RESPONSIBLE PERSON " MUST CARRY OUT A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT AND IMPLEMENT AND MAINTAIN A FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN .

OUR OFFICER CAN TAKE CARE OF ALL THE FIRE RISK ASSESSMENTS AND PLANS FOR APPROX £250.00 DEPENDING ON SIZE AND NATURE OF THE BUSINESS

WHAT DOES A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT INVOLVE ?

1, IDENTIFY FIRE HAZARDS

2, CONSIDER THE PEOPLE WHO MAY BE AT RISK

3, EVALUATE AND ACT ON THE INFO FOUND IN ITEMS 1 & 2

4, RECORD PLAN AND TRAIN THE STAFF

5, REVIEW REGULARLY THE FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT AND MAKE AMMENDMENTS TO KEEP IT UP TO DATE .

some items we regularly come across when checking premises prior to the fire risk assessments

FIRE EXITS UNMARKED AND NOT MAINTAINED UNABLE TO OPEN DUE TO PALLETS UP AGAINST THE DOOR

ANOTHER FIRE EXIT USED AS A CLOTHES STAND AND BLOCKED BY A DESK AND CHAIR IN AN OFFICE

FIRE DOORS WEDGED OPEN RENDERING THEM USELESS IN A FIRE

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT NOT PAT TESTED AND FAULTY CAUSING A SMALL FIRE ON INSPECTION OUR OFFICERS FOUND THIS PLUG STILL IN USE

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS BLOCKED BY PALLETS AND RUBBISH

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS NOT MAINTAINED THIS WAS JUST 1 OF MANY FOUND TO BE COVERED IN MUCK

FIRE ALARM CALL POINTS NOT CLEANED OR CHECKED

NO CLEAR ROUTE TO EXTINGUISHERS DUE TO LARGE AMOUNT OF RUBBISH

THE CORRECT WAY CLEAN FIRE EXTINGUISHERS CORRECTLY MOUNTED AND CORRECT SIGNAGE

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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

1, WHAT OR WHO IS A COMPETENT PERSON ?

A COMPETENT PERSON HAS HAD SUFFICIENT TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE OF KNOWLEDGE AND OTHER QUALITIES TO CARRY OUT THIS TASK

2, IS THE RISK ASSESSMENT A 1 OFF THING ?

A REGULAR REVIEW IS REQUIRED AND TRAINING FOR STAFF IS ONGOING

3, AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR MY FIRE EQUIPMENT ?

UNDER THE ACT ALL FIRE EQUIPMENT MUST BE MAINTAINED IN A WORKING ORDER AND IN GOOD REPAIR ,SO IF ANY FAILURE IS DOWN TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE THEN YOU COULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE ,HOWEVER IF YOU HAVE A MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR THE EQUIPMENT THE ENFORCERS MAY TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE CONTRACTOR

4, WILL THE FIRE BRIGADE INSPECT MY PREMISES

YES AT SOME TIME THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE AS THE ENFORCERS FOR THERE LOCAL RISK PLAN

5, WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT COMPLY WITH THIS ORDER

IN CASES WHERE A SERIOUS RISK EXISTS AND IS NOT BEING MANAGED THE LOCAL FIRE RESCUE AUTHORITY HAVE A STATUARY DUTY TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORDER ,

IN SERIOUS CASES FINES OF UP TO £5000.00 PER OFFENCE ON SUMMARY OF CONVICTION OR AN UNLIMITED FINE AND UP TO 2 YEARS IN PRISON OR BOTH FOR A CROWN COURT CONVICTION

6, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO