Every year people die or are seriously injured as a result of fires in non-domestic properties. Besides the human risk, fire costs UK business millions of pounds due to property damage, fines compensation, and insurance premiums. Many businesses find that they are not able to recover from the effects of a fire.
• Who is responsible for fire safety in non-domestic premises?
• What are their duties and responsibilities?
• How can I keep people and property safe?
• What are the possible consequences of failure to act?
• Where can I get help and guidance?
If you are an employer or have control over the premises or activities that take place on the premises, then you have responsibilities under fire safety legislation. It is your duty to ensure the safety of the people in the premises.
In the case of people who are not employers but have control over premises, the extent of your responsibility will depend on the extent of your control. As this can be a complicated issue, it is sensible for organisations to identify clearly who is responsible for what.
This guide will help to answer these questions and help you to successfully manage fire safety in commercial premises.
UK fire safety legislation places emphasis on preventing fires and reducing risk. Anyone who has some control over premises must take reasonable steps to reduce the likelihood of fire and make sure people can safely escape if there is a fire. The regulations apply to virtually all non-domestic premises in the United Kingdom; in England and Wales the communal areas (common parts) of blocks of flats, are also included.
UK fire safety legislation has slight regional variations which result in different terms used for the person on whom the legislation imposes fire safety duties.
In England and Wales this person is known as the ‘Responsible Person’, in Scotland the term ‘Duty Holder’ is often used, while the term ‘Appropriate Person’ is often used in Northern Ireland. In this guide we will refer to this person as the ‘Responsible Person’. Other differences on requirements of the legislative regimes are discussed in this guide.
