Are you aware of your responsibilities within fire safety for your company? If you are the owner or
occupier of a non-domestic building you have legal obligations to uphold to protect your staff, visitors,
its contents and the building itself.
These legal obligations across the UK require the appointed responsible person
for non-domestic premises to have adequate fire protection. It is their responsibility to ensure there is
a sufficient, up to date fire risk assessment and that all requirements addressed in this are carried out
competently.
This responsible person if not appointed becomes the employer/the person who controls the premises by
default in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO 2005). If you are unsure on who controls
your premises this needs to be addressed to ensure you are not under any risk from fire and to establish
who holds responsibility. The below information will help you and
H2K Services are here to help if
you need it.
The Fire Safety Order
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 or "the Fire Safety Order" came into force on
1st October 2006.
The legislation fundamentally changed the way in which fire safety for businesses is carried out and enforced.
It provides for a risk-based approach to fire safety in non-domestic premises.
This allows more efficient and effective enforcement by the fire and rescue service.
Who does it apply to?
The Fire Safety Order applies to most non-domestic premises. It includes many businesses, such as:
Guesthouses
Small day nurseries
Self-employed people
Parts of the voluntary sector
What do I have to do?
The Responsible Person at the premises is responsible for carrying out a risk assessment to identify the risks and hazards, with fire safety officers enforcing the Fire Safety Order through audits.
Fire safety certificates are no longer issued.
If you are:
Responsible for your business premises
An employer
Self-employed with business premises
A charity or voluntary organisation
A contractor with a degree of control over any premises
YOU WILL be required to undertake a Fire risk assessment
It is your responsibility to make sure your workplace reaches the required standard and employees are provided with adequate fire safety training.
H2K Services can act as your
competent person, complete your risk assessment and perform regular
testing of your fire alarm and emergency lighting. We also offer
water safety testing assisting you to minimise the risk of
legionella posioning.
What am I responsible for?
The Responsible Person is responsible for:
Reducing the risk from fire as far as reasonably practicable
Providing general fire precautions
Taking additional measures where flammable or explosive materials are involved
Creating a plan to deal with emergencies
Preparing for an audit
If your business is audited you will be visited by a qualified fire safety officer who will follow a set procedure which is designed to establish your compliance with the requirements of the Fire Safety Order.
Preparing for your audit
The Fire and Rescue Services always aim to help businesses to comply with the requirements of the
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) 2005 (“the Fire Safety Order”). However, at times they have to
enforce the law by implementing a formal enforcement procedure. They will endeavour to avoid this
course of action by working with you, the business owner/manager to resolve deficiencies to meet a
satisfactory conclusion where possible, dependent upon the risk.H2K
Services can act as you competent person and assist you meeting the requirements of the Fire Safety Order
Fire safety audit
If your business is audited you will be visited by a qualified fire safety officer who will follow
a set procedure which is designed to establish your compliance with the requirements of the Fire
Safety Order. Our officer may walk round all or part of your premises, speak to your staff or inspect
records such as your fire alarm or emergency lighting test records. At the end of the audit your
premises will be given a rating.
Deficiencies
If your premises have any deficiencies you will receive a letter from us advising you of the remedy
you should take to gain compliance. The fire safety officer who carried out the audit will be on hand
to advise you should you have any questions. You will be given a reasonable time scale in which to
carry out the work required.H2K Services can help you meet the Fire Safety Order requirements.
Failure to comply
If you fail to carry out the required action or if the risk from fire is so great they may implement
the formal enforcement process:
An Alteration Notice may be served if the fire and rescue service believe any structural alterations being made to the
premises will constitute a serious risk to relevant persons (whether due to the features of the
premises, their use, any hazard present or any other circumstances).
An Enforcement Notice may be served on you if the fire and rescue service believe you have failed to comply with any
provision of the Fire Safety Order.
A Prohibition Notice may be served if the fire and rescue service believe that the risk to people from fire is so
serious that the fire and rescue service must prohibit or restrict the use of part or all of the premises until the matters
referred to have be put right.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that the fire and rescue service receive:
Do I need to test my emergency lighting?
Yes it should be tested once per month to ensure that it is working and the findings of the test recorded
in a fire log book. It should also be tested once a year by a competent person.
H2K Services can test your emergency lighting monthly and complete your yearly compliance.
H2K Services can also replace your emergency light fittings and batteries as required
Do I need to test my fire alarm?
You should test your alarm once per week, testing a different call point each time.
The result of this test should be recorded.
Your alarm must be tested twice per year by a competent alarm engineer.
H2K Services can act as your Competent Person and complete your
weekly test and log it accordingly, we can also arrange your periodic compliance testing. Did you
know H2K Services can also complete your water safety checks!
Do I need Fire Extinguishers?
You should look at the appropriate guide for your type of business premises and judge the
appropriate type of extinguisher based upon the risks. In general though you should provide
one fire extinguisher for every 200m2 with at least 2 per floor.
If it is a very small premises occupying one floor then one extinguisher appropriate to the
level of risk may be ok. Guidance should be sought from a competent fire extinguisher provider.
Yes. You must protect yourself and anyone else in the vicinity of your business from fire.
To do this you must assess the risks and make general fire precautions.
You are not required, however, to record the findings of your assessment unless you employ five or
more people; hold a license issued by another authority, or; are told to do so by the Fire Authority
in a Notice.
If you are still unsure you can employH2K Services to act as your Competent Person and supply and install fire equipment.
Do I need a fire risk assessment?
Yes. You must protect yourself and anyone else in the vicinity of your business from fire. To do
this you must assess the risks and make general fire precautions.
You are not required, however, to record the findings of your assessment unless you employ five or
more people; hold a license issued by another authority, or; are told to do so by the Fire Authority
in a Notice.
H2K Services can act as your Competent Person and supply and install fire equipment.
Where does the Fire Safety Order apply?
The Fire Safety Order applies to virtually all premises and covers nearly every type of building,
structure, and open space.
For example:
offices and shops
premises that provide care
community halls
common areas of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
pubs, clubs and restaurants
schools
tents and marquees
hotels and hostels
factories and warehouses.
It does not apply to domestic premises occupied by a single family.
H2K Services can act as your Competent Person and supply and install fire equipment.
What exactly are my duties under the Fire Safety Order?
You must:
take general fire precautions - as is reasonable
carry out a fire risk assessment to identify the general fire precautions
apply the principles of prevention and implement fire safety measures
plan, organise, control, monitor and review fire safety measures
eliminate or reduce risks
ensure premises are equipped with fire fighting equipment
ensure premises have fire detectors and alarms
ensure premises have safe emergency routes and exits
ensure premises have safe procedures to follow
ensure premises have additional measures for dangerous substances
maintain fire safety equipment and devices
provide fire safety information to employees
provide fire safety training
H2K Services can act as your Competent Person and supply and install fire equipment.
What are my main requirements/duties of the Fire Safety Order?
The Responsible Person is required to:
carry out or nominate someone to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment identifying the risks and
hazards
consider who may be at risk
eliminate or reduce the risk from fire as far is it is reasonably practical and provide
general fire precautions to deal with any residual risk
take additional measures where flammable or explosive materials are used or stored
create a plan to deal with any emergency and in most cases document your findings, and
review the findings.
H2K Services can act as your Competent Person to conduct the
risk assessment and create a fire evauation plan for you.
I run a business out of my small workshop. I am self employed, does the Fire Safety Order apply to me?
Yes. You must protect yourself and anyone else in the vicinity of your business from fire.
To do this you must assess the risks and make general fire precautions.
You are not required, however, to record the findings of your risk assessment unless you employ five or
more people; hold a license issued by another authority, or; are told to do so by the Fire Authority
in a Notice. If you are still unsure, it may be
worth employing H2K Services as your Competent Person to conduct the
risk assessment for you.
I have a small pub, I don’t have any staff and do all the work myself,
does the Fire Safety Order apply to me?
Yes. You are responsible not only for yourself, but also the people that enter your premises.
You must ensure that there are adequate fire safety arrangements. As you hold a liquor licence,
you must also record the findings in a fire risk assessment. If you are still unsure, it may be
worth employing H2K Services as your Competent Person to conduct the
risk assessment for you.
I have a shop/office/business. Can someone from the fire service come
and check for fire safety?
The Fire and Rescue Service can give advice on how to comply with your duties under the Fire Safety
Order, however they cannot fulfil these duties on your behalf. If you are still unsure, it may be
worth employing H2K Services as your Competent Person to conduct the
risk assessment for you.
Do I need to inform or get permission from the fire service to put on a public firework display?
Not from the fire service as events such as this are licensed by the Local Authority and as such contact should be made with them. Sales of fireworks are regulated by Trading Standards.
Do I need to notify the Fire and Rescue Service about building works
or plans for new buildings?
No. the Fire and Rescue Service are Statutory Consultees, which means that they are consulted by
the Local Authority Building Control or Approved Inspector responsible for signing off the construction
work.
The fire and rescue service are notified of all building work through this process, so you only need to deal with one point of
contact.
Do you run training courses on fire safety - for example use of extinguishers or how to complete a fire risk assessment?
As your fire department is a regulatory authority, they are not allowed to provide training or conduct risk assessments, as this could lead to a conflict of interest.
I have a concern about a fire risk in a business or flats - who do I tell?
Please contact your local fire safety office with as much information as you can.
Fire safety inspectors will investigate or give advice as appropriate.
At H2K Services, you can be assured that all our services are carried out to the very highest standard.
We will always ensure that you receive a high quality service that is both safe and trustworthy.
We also provide quality reviews of all jobs undertaken, to ensure that they have been completed within an acceptable time frame and to the highest possible standards.
We know that you will be completely satisfied with our work so call us or get in touch to book an appointment.
