As we navigate through the unprecedented times of the current climate, one issue that remains constant is the importance of fire safety. With incidents like Grenfell Tower bringing attention to the need for comprehensive fire safety measures, it’s important for businesses and organizations to stay informed and up-to-date on fire safety legislation and fire risk assessment. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the current climate in which we operate regarding fire safety, including updates on legislation, comparisons of fire safety practices in different regions, and the hot topic of fire risk assessor competence.
Fire Safety Legislation in England: Update
The recent years have seen a significant focus on updating fire safety legislation in England. The most significant change was the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which came into effect in 2006. This order merged over 70 pieces of fire safety legislation into one comprehensive set of regulations. Its main goal was to promote a risk-based approach to fire safety, placing more responsibility on those who are responsible for non-domestic premises to manage and reduce fire risks.
Since then, there have been multiple updates and amendments to this order, including changes in response to findings from inquiries such as the one following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. These updates have been aimed at strengthening and clarifying certain aspects of the legislation, such as the role of responsible persons and requirements for carrying out risk assessments.
Comparisons with Devolved Regions of the UK
While England has its own set of regulations for fire safety, it’s essential to compare practices with those in other regions of the UK. One notable difference is in Scotland, where they have their own equivalent to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 called the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. While this act shares similar principles to its English counterpart, it has its own set of technical standards, guidance, and enforcement bodies.
In Northern Ireland, the legislation is similar to that of England, with the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 being the primary legislation. However, there are some differences in the guidance and enforcement bodies. Wales also has its own set of regulations, the Fire Safety and Management (Wales) Regulations 2006, which closely mirror the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
The Competence of Fire Risk Assessors
One of the hottest topics in fire safety right now is the competence of fire risk assessors. As stated in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, those responsible for fire safety must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out for their premises. However; there are concerns about the competence of some fire risk assessors and the quality of assessments being produced.
In response to these concerns, there have been calls for mandatory registration or certification for fire risk assessors. While this has yet to be implemented, some organizations are taking steps to improve standards through voluntary registers or accreditation schemes.
Navigating the Madness
In conclusion, the current climate of fire safety legislation and fire risk assessment is a bit mad. With constant updates and amendments, it can be challenging to keep up. However, as responsible persons or organizations, it’s crucial to stay informed and compliant with these regulations. By understanding the updates and comparisons with other regions, we can navigate through this madness and ensure our premises are as safe as possible.
Remember, fire safety is not something to be taken lightly. As Margaret Law stated in her paper 27 years ago, “a ratchet which serves to increase fire safety provisions rather than otherwise is the rare but significant occurrence of major fires.” Let’s learn from these incidents and strive to improve fire safety measures continually. Together, we can make a difference and keep our communities safe from the devastating effects of fire.
