Future face of fire

The need for competent people working in the fire industry, along with proof of competence and third party certification are all called for under new legislation.

And as the fire company "expert", you will increasingly be called upon by your customer to carry out risk assessments for fire alarm & detection systems, emergency lighting and signage and extinguishers ... so it is vital that not only are you competent but that you can also prove your competence.

BS5839-1: 2002 (Inc amendment No 1) the Chief Fire Officers Association policy and the soon to be launched Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order call for competent people, proof of competence, third party certified companies and responsible people.

In this two-part feature we will be reviewing the Order, its implications on businesses, and the opportunities for companies in the industry.

More time to prepare

In January the Government announced that it will give business and fire-safety experts more time to prepare for the new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Now the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has announced that it will come into force at a later date. Originally scheduled for April, the new date is expected to be October 2006. The reasons for the delays are to allow more time for stakeholders to produce 11 guidance documents for different types of premises and to ensure that the effective date coincides as closely as possible with the reform of fire-safety laws in Scotland.

The Order amends or replaces 118 pieces of legislation, the most significant being the repeal of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and the revocation of the Fire Precautions (workplace) Regulation 1997. The Order develops and extends many of the concepts in the '97 regulations.

The Order applies to the majority of premises and workplaces in the UK. It does not apply to dwellings, the underground parts of mines, anything that floats, flies or runs on wheels, offshore installations building sites or the military.

Who is responsible?

Compliance of the Order is firmly placed on the "Responsible Person" and outlines all measures that must be taken to ensure the safety of all people he or she is directly or indirectly responsible for. It allows for the Enforcing Authority to make sure it is enacted (by force if necessary) and sets penalties if it is not (by fines and /or up to two years in prison).

In this Order ‘Responsible Person' means ‘The person who owns the premises or business or the person with control over the premises, business or activity.'

Where two or more responsible persons share responsibility, (e.g. tenant / landlord, multiple tenancy building or adjacent premises) the responsible person must co-operate, share information and collaborate to provide measures.

The Order requires the ‘Responsible Person' to carry out a fire risk assessment, produce a policy, develop procedures (including evacuation), provide staff training and carry out fire drills. They must provide and maintain clear means of escape, signs, notices, emergency lighting, fire alarm & detection systems and extinguishers.

As with all other statutory risk assessments, where five or more people are employed the significant findings of the fire-risk assessment must be recorded, as an Inspector can demand to see the records.

Enforcing the Order

The Enforcing Authority can be the local fire brigade, HSE (Health & Safety Executive) or the local authority - sports grounds and stadia.

Inspectors, in most cases, would be an officer from the local Fire Brigade. An inspector has the right to:

Walk into the premises or workplace if he is inspecting it (but cannot force entry), make enquiries to establish the limits of the premises and who the responsible persons are, inspect or take copies of any records and take samples.

Penalties if an individual is convicted of failing to comply: They may be subject to a fine or a term of imprisonment (not exceeding two years)

Fire Risk Assessment

A ‘Responsible Person' must carry out a fire-risk assessment that must focus on the safety of all relevant people. They must include the following in any risk assessment ...

Means of escape: The ‘Responsible Person' must provide means of escape and ensure that they are available at all times.

Escape routes and exits: Escape routes must be established and always available, doors must open in the direction of escape and be provided with emergency lighting and signage.

Signs and notices: These must be provided giving appropriate instructions to employees, including fire action notices, indicating the positions/directions of extinguishers, emergency routes and exits.

Fire Alarm & Detection Systems: An appropriate fire alarm & detection system must be provided; the type and extent would be subject to the requirements of the fire risk assessment.

Emergency Lighting: This must be provided on escape routes. Types and extent would be subject to the requirements of the risk assessment.

Compartments and Doors: They must take measures to reduce the risk of the spread of fire. This can be taken as ensuring all fire resisting walls and doors are kept in good order, walls are not breached and fire doors have appropriate seals and closing devices fitted.

Maintenance: Any or all equipment installed for the purpose of fire safety must be maintained in good working order. It is essential that all the above are designed installed and maintained by competent companies or people. Individuals may be required to provide evidence of ‘Proof of Competence', e.g. BFPSA certificates and/or BSi third party certification to SP203 Kitemark scheme, etc.

How will it affect business?

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order will affect the majority of businesses throughout the UK. All businesses will have to appoint a ‘Responsible Person' to carry out a fire risk assessment and where five or more people are employed, the risk assessment must record the significant findings and the measures made or to be made.

The ‘Responsible Person' must review the risk assessment regularly and where a change may affect fire safety, such as a change of work activity, alteration to the building or a change in its use, the risk assessment must be amended accordingly.

You're the expert

As a fire company / person working in the fire industry (ie, the expert), you will increasingly be called upon by the ‘Responsible Person' (your customer) to carry out risk assessments for fire alarm & detection systems, emergency lighting and signage and extinguishers, so it is important that not only are you competent but that you can also prove your competence.

To further enhance its joint BFPSA and key supplier/product training courses, Gardiner Fire Division has launched a ‘Proof of Competence Roadmap' sponsored by the BFPSA, BAFE and BSi, three of the fire industry's leading bodies. The aim of the ‘Roadmap' is to help Gardiner customers not only achieve competence but also to be able to prove their competence.

• For more information phone: Mark Wild on 01706 510515 or email mwild@gardinersecurity.co.uk

• For more information on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order go to: www.firesafetyguides.odpm.gov.uk

• In Part 2 next month: Peter Holmes looks at the requirement of proof of competence for people working in the fire industry plus third party certification as proof of competence for companies and organisations.

Plus … BS5839-1:2002 (including amendment No 1) and the Chief Fire Officers Association's policy for remotely monitored fire alarm systems. Installers should keep both features for reference.