The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) came into effect in October 2006 and replaced over 70 pieces of fire safety law.
The FSO applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including the common parts of blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
The law applies to you if you are:
- responsible for business premises
- an employer or self-employed with business premises
- responsible for a part of a dwelling where that part is solely used for business purposes
- a charity or voluntary organisation
- a contractor with a degree of control over any premises
- providing accommodation for paying guests
Under the FSO, the responsible person must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan.
The enforcing authority, which is usually the local fire authority, must be satisfied with your safety measures. If not, they will tell you what you need to do.
If they find major problems they can serve an enforcement notice requiring you to improve safety or even restrict the use of your premises or close them altogether until you deal with any problems they raise.
In the event of a fire, it is important that all people are evacuated as quickly as possible. Generally, there should be at least two escape routes from all parts of the premises, acting independently of each other. They should be able to withstand fire for a reasonable time to allow all people to escape from the premises.
A steel fire escape from Morris Fabrications Ltd can achieve this for you.
If you would be interested in receiving a quotation from us, then please contact us.
