Fire Safety - A Guide for Responsible Persons

Safety at Work - CIA's Guide for the Responsible Person

A company must nominate a Responsible Person to carry out the actions required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Many responsible persons still do not fully understand their responsibilities and how failure to comply with the Order can lead to hefty fines and/or a two year prison sentence.

The Order is enforceable by the local Fire & Rescue Service (FRS) who:

• Have the power to inspect your property
• Will expect to see your fire risk assessment
• Require you to record your findings (if you employ over five people)
• Will want proof that you have taken action on your findings
• May issue an enforcement notice or a prohibition notice, if they are unhappy with your fire risk assessment

For more information on what your local Fire & Rescue Service requires, visit their website.

• Berkshire: www.rbfrs.co.uk
• Dorset: www.dorsetfire.co.uk
• East Sussex: www.esfrs.org
• Hampshire: www.hantsfire.gov.uk
• Isle of Wight: www.iwfire.org
• Surrey: www.surrey-fire.gov.uk
• West Sussex: www.westsussex.gov.uk/wsfrs
• Wiltshire: www.wiltsfire.gov.uk

Follow this link for more information on Fire Risk Assessment

Fire Detection and Alarm Systems

Your risk assessment may deem - as your premises are only a small office or shop - that a fire may be obvious to everyone as soon as it starts.  If this is the case you would be able to raise the alarm to all persons present by simply shouting "Fire!" or using a hand operated bell and as long as the position of fire exits are clearly marked, everybody can easily escape.

In larger premises where there is no clear line of sight and a shout or manual alarm may not be heard by everyone in the building, but where it is unlikely that a fire could start without somebody noticing it quickly, a manually operated fire alarm (AFAS) comprising call-points (break-glass boxes) and sounders is likely to be adequate.

However, in most commercial buildings and multi-occupied premises a fire could develop in areas and go undetected and even affect the escape routes before it is discovered, an automatic fire detection and alarm system (AFDAS) may be required to ensure that a fire is noticed quickly.

Back to the main Fire Alarms in Business Premises page.