| Regulations and Information : |
The Order firmly places a responsibility on the responsible person and outlines all the measures that must be taken to ensure the safety of all the people he or she is directly or indirectly responsible for. At the same time it allows the enforcing authority to make sure that it is enacted (by force if necessary) and sets penalties if it is not.
It requires the responsible person to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment, produce a policy, develop Procedures (particularly with regard to evacuation), provide staff Training and carryout Fire Drills. The responsible person must provide and maintain clear means of escape, Signs, Notices, Emergency Lighting, Fire Detection & Alarm and extinguishers. |
| The Responsible Person: |
| This is the person who owns the premises or business or the person with control over the premises, business or activity. |
| Fire Risk Assesment |
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The cornerstone of the order is the risk assessment. This must be reviewed regularly
and if necessary amended. The Risk Assessment must be formally recorded if the
responsible person employs 5 or more people, the premises are licensed or the
inspector requires it. |
| The Order contains the phrase”.. The responsible person must .. appoint one or more Competent Persons to assist him..” it goes to say the competent person must have “ .. sufficient training, experience and knowledge..” Where the competent person must ensure that he or she is properly trained, However where the competent person is a sub contractor it implies that the contractor should have some form of third party accreditation. |
| Fire Wardens (nominated competent person)
You must appoint competent persons to:
Carry out fire fighting duties (13. (3) (b)
Make contact with emergency services (13. (3) (c)
Assist in evacuations (15. (1) (b) |
A competent person can only be regarded as competent if they have appropriate training, experience, knowledge or other qualities (13> (4) & (15. (3)
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| All employees must be given adequate training, including “action to be taken”, when they commence employment and receive refresher training as appropriate, training should be provided during normal working hours. |
| You must provide means of escape (4. (1) (b) and ensure that they are available at all times. |
| You must take measures to reduce the risk of the spread of fire. This can be taken as ensuring all fire resisting walls and doors are kept in good order, walls are not breached and fire doors have appropriate seals and closing devices (4. (1) (a |
