Mike Makepeace, building specialist at Bruton Knowles’ said: “The forthcoming Fire Safety Order represents the biggest overhaul of fire legislation in the last 30 years and will consolidate over 118 pieces of existing workplace fire safety regulations.

Under the new legislation the onus for ensuring fire safety will rest firmly on employers’ shoulders and not with the fire authorities. It is therefore essential that business owners and managers as well as occupiers, investors and landlords, fully understand the new legal obligations.”

In order to help employers get to grips with the forthcoming changes to the Fire Safety Order, Bruton Knowles has developed the following tips:

1. Take charge – the responsibility for the implementation of the order lies with employers and any other person who may have control of any part of the premises. The duties may be shared between employers, tenants, landlords, managing agents or anyone responsible for building and safety maintenance. Under the new regulations, fire certificates will be abolished and it is up to the ‘responsible person’ to conduct a fire risk assessment and maintain adequate and suitable fire precautions.

2. Assess the risks – the responsible person must implement a fire risk assessment focusing on the safety of all ‘relevant persons’ in case of fire with particular attention paid to those at special risk, such as the disabled or those with special needs.

3. Consider dangers – any fire risk assessment should include consideration of any dangerous substance likely to be on the premises. Fire risks should be reduced or removed and the extent of the general fire precautions needed to protect against the fire risks that remain should be specified.

4. Get planning – the fire risk assessment must include a clear plan of not only how to prevent fire but how people will be kept safe in case of fire. This should include: the provision of adequate escape routes, the provision of fire-fighting precautions such as fire extinguishers, the correct type and quantity of fire notices and fire safety training for staff.

5. Take note – Employers with five staff or more must keep a record of any fire risks identified and the actions taken to reduce or remove them.

6. Review regularly – fire risk assessments need to be reviewed regularly as over time, the risks may change. If circumstances change significantly or substantial changes are made to the fire prevention plan, others who share the premises must be informed and where appropriate, staff retrained.

7. Law enforcement – responsibility for the enforcement of the new Order will be with the local Fire and Rescue Service, which will carry out regular inspections, targeting those premises representing the highest risk.

8. Obey the rules – failure to comply with Notices served by the Fire and Rescue Service can result in a substantial fine or up to two years’ imprisonment.

Mike Makepeace concludes: “It is clear more needs to be done to raise awareness of the Fire Safety Order which comes into effect in just over one months’ time if employers are to comply with the legislation and realise the some £110 million of savings the Government claims a reduction in workplace fires would achieve.

Regardless of whether employers agree or disagree with the new legislation, any attempt to save more people from death and injury in the workplace by reducing risk and preventing fires has to be seen as a very positive step.”

For further information please contact Mike Makepeace on 01823 332205 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it