Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) is urging licensed premises to review their fire safety measures after the tragic fire at a bar in Switzerland which claimed the lives of 40 people on New Year’s Eve and left many more seriously injured.
Fire can have devastating effects in licenced premises and MFRS has reaffirmed business fire safety advice to premises across the region. Reducing the risk and potential spread of fire should be covered in fire risk assessments, which should consider possible causes of fire and what will happen if a fire occurs – measures and systems should be in place to reduce the risk of fire.
Indoor fireworks and other ignition sources
Across Merseyside licensed establishments may serve ignited drinks or place Ice Fountains and other indoor sparklers within drinks or foods for decorative appeal -these items contain small amounts of explosives and should be stored safely and away from accidental ignition sources.
Igniting alcohol and allowing customers to handle ignition sources such as candles, ice fountains or sparklers when intoxicated can be dangerous. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service strongly advises against these practices.
However, if the responsible person chooses to engage in these practices, they must ensure that the risk to people relating to the use of dangerous substances and ignition sources is reduced or eliminated. Where drinks are ignited and/or pyrotechnics (such as indoor sparklers) are used, this must be considered in the fire risk assessment. Staff must be trained, and steps must be taken to ensure that a fire does not occur.
Decorations and wall linings
MFRS understands that it is desirable for business owners to have an attractive interior décor for customers. However, decorative materials that are used to line walls and ceilings can significantly contribute to the spread of a fire. Not only could this put relevant people at increased risk during a fire, but it can also significantly increase the damage caused by fire and smoke and may increase the financial impact of a fire on the business.
When considering the decoration premises, the increased risk of a fire spreading because of the materials used must be considered. Before installing any decorative materials on walls and ceilings, the manufacturer of the material should be consulted about the suitability of the product for the intended use. It should be confirmed that the manufacturer can provide certification about the performance of the product in relation to its fire resistance.
Decorations that should be considered as part of a risk assessment can include (but are not limited to):
• Temporary decorations (Christmas/Halloween/Wedding/Sporting events etc.)
• Materials designed to provide sound insulation
• Floral (both real and artificial) decorations where these are attached to ceilings or walls
• Curtains/drapes and fabric wall coverings
• Decorative panelling and facades
The fire risk assessment should also be reviewed if changes are made to the premises or the decorations in the premises.
Emergency routes and exits
All escape routes should lead to a fire exit that should, in most cases, open outwards. This exit may be a usual entrance / exit from the building or an emergency exit. Fire exits must be available for use when anyone is using the premises – this means that they should not be locked or fastened in such a way that they can’t be easily and quickly opened.
Emergency routes and exits must be kept clear with no obstructions narrowing or preventing routes and exits from use, and careful consideration should be applied, in this regard, when applying security measures to premises. i.e. do not lock escape routes to prevent unauthorised access that impede the means of escape.
Staff Training
The Fire Safety Order requires employers to ensure that their staff are provided with adequate fire safety training when they are first employed and on a periodic basis.
The training provided should be appropriate to the risks identified in the premises’ fire risk assessment and may vary for different staff members based on their roles. The type of training should be based on the features and layout of the premises and should consider the findings of the fire risk assessment.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Licenced premises must comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Any failure to do so could result in an unlimited fine and up to two years in prison for the responsible person.
For further guidance on complying with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 please visit our Business Fire Safety – Advice and Guidance web page:
Business Fire Safety - Advice and Guidance | Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service
Members of the public
If you have any concerns regarding fire safety in any business, please utilise the link below for our dedicated Fire Safety Concerns form.
For free fire safety advice, or to request a home fire safety check, please call 0800 731 5958.
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service also provides free smoke alarms for Merseyside residents aged 65 and over.