S.K.Fire Protection
Fire Safety & Equipment Specialist
News & Links
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 became law in October 2006 and introduced significant change to workplace fire safety responsibilities. As well as simplifying the legislative regime by bringing all fire safety legislation together into one Order, it introduced the need for employers, building owners and occupiers as 'responsible persons' to carry out, implement and maintain a fire safety risk assessment.
All non-domestic premises, including the common or shared parts of blocks of flats or houses in multiple occupation are covered by the Order, and may be inspected by their local Fire and Rescue Authority. Under the Order, Fire and Rescue Authorities have a statutory duty to ensure compliance and enforce the requirements where necessary.
General fire precautions
It is impossible in this short guide to give detailed guidance for every type of premises. However, this section focuses on some of the things you should consider as a minimum when you are looking to reduce fire risks within your workplace.
Links
Safe routes for people, including those with disabilities, to leave the premises
The ideal situation is when there are alternative escape routes from all parts of the premises, although this is not always possible.Where only one route is available other compensatory features may be necessary e.g. making escape routes fire resisting or installing automatic fire detection.The stairway and area near the exit should be kept clear of combustibles and obstructions.The escape route should lead to a final exit.Where the stairway is not fire resisting, the final exit should be visible and accessible from the discharge point of the stairway at ground floor level.High-risk rooms do not generally open directly into a fire-resisting stairway.If your fire risk assessment shows that people using any floor would be unaware of a fire you may require additional fire-protection measures, e.g. an automatic fire-detection and warning system.
Fire detection & warning systems
You must have a suitable fire detection and warning system. This can range from a shouted warning to a comprehensive electrical detection and warning system.
Whatever system you have it must be able to adequately warn people in all circumstances.
A means for fighting a small fire (Fire extinguishers)
A range of fire extinguishers are available for all types of fire hazards.
Suitable fire exit doors
Fire exit doors and any doors on the escape routes should be operable without a key and without any specialist knowledge.
In public buildings push (panic) bars or push pads may be required.
You are viewing the text version of this site.
To view the full version please install the Adobe Flash Player and ensure your web browser has JavaScript enabled.
Need help? check the requirements page.
