Frequently Asked Questions

What does the change mean in practice?

Essentially the responsibility will be for the occupier of a building to “risk assess” the fire safety measures. Where the occupier rents accommodation, then both the owner and the occupier will have to liaise to ensure the building is safe from fire.

I have a Fire Certificate. How will the Fire Safety Order affect it?

When the fire certificate was issued it reflected the fire safety standards of the day. However, although the building, use and workforce may not have changed, the standards have.

Therefore, Fire and Rescue Services could not have required the business to upgrade their fire alarm system or install extra fire fighting equipment, etc. even though it may have been beneficial for all concerned. The new Fire Safety Order is dynamic and changes may now have to be made.

My Fire Certificate was recently issued and I have up-to-date systems. How will the NEW Order affect it?

Fire and Rescue Services must continue to issue fire certificates until October 2006. Occasionally some insurance companies insist their clients have a fire certificate, but from 1st October 2006, they will no longer have any legal standing. Many firms have indicated that they will be retaining the certificate and using it as a benchmark when formulating their Fire Risk Assessment. This is a good practice, but you should be aware that higher standards may now apply.

I do not have a Fire Certificate but conform to the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations. What is the difference?

The Workplace Regulations essentially protected the employees. The new Fire Safety Order will encompass: “Any person (including the responsible person) who may be lawfully on the premises and any person in the immediate vicinity of the premises who is at risk from a fire on the premises”. It also requires more premises to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment e.g. a self-employed person will have to produce a fire risk assessment.

Will its implementation cost me anything?

Possibly! If your fire safety standards do not reflect your environment, working practices, protection of employees, etc, then the Fire Safety Order may require that fire safety standards are improved. Conversely, with a robust fire risk assessment, fire routines, work practices and staff training, you may actually be able to save money. See basic risk assessment process overleaf.