U.K. fire safety legislation is within a significant transitional phase. The Fire Precautions Act 1971 and Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 will be repealed, which affects many other fire safety regulations embedded in other statutes such as Residential Care Homes and Licensed premises etc. Fire certificates will be abolished with employers becoming increasingly liable for fire safety within their workplaces.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO) which apply to England and Wales & the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 are due to become law and implemented on October  1st 2006.

The new regulations are predominantly based upon the existing Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations. The regulations will apply to all workplaces / premises (other than domestic premises), and will also apply to the self employed, with minor exceptions.

Similar to the HASAW 1974, it will be the duty of the responsible person to demonstrate that they did everything 'reasonably practicable' to prevent injury with civil recourse available should any breach of duty of case cause harm.

The fire service role will be that of enforcement similar to the HSE for general health & safety matters. Insurance companies may include clauses to ensure clients are complying with the law, with obvious connotations where there is a lack of compliance i.e. they may refuse to pay some or all of an insurance claim.

Should you require further guidance on these legislative changes follow the web-links below or call us now for free advice.

http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1162101 (England & Wales)

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/Fire/19077/FireAct (Scotland)