Health and safety nominates a 'responsible person' to be in charge of workplace fire safety. Check out your fire safety responsibilities at business and non-domestic premises.
WHO IS THE RESPONSIBLE PERSON? The responsibility for fire safety at business or at non-domestic premises is yours if you are:
You will be the 'responsible person' if any of these apply to you. Thus, you must meet all your responsibilities for workplace fire safety. You should work as a group if there is more than one responsible person.
The Fire Safety Order may also apply if there are paying guests. Examples include running a guesthouse, a bed and breakfast, or letting out a self-catering property.
Note: Check out 10 fire prevention rules for parents and children to help keep their home safe. Some fire safety regulations for workplace premises differ in Scotland and in Northern Ireland.
If you are the person charged with making your premises safe from fire you must:
Note: The government publish a short guide for businesses on complying with fire safety law in the workplace.
When fire safety in the workplace refers to non-domestic premises, it relates to:
Often, there is at least one responsible person for fire safety in shared premises. Thus, you will need to coordinate the safety plans. You must ensure the safety of all people on or around the premises.
Note: The responsible person would be the freeholder, the landlord, or managing agent for common or shared areas.
During any construction you will need to comply with the UK building regulations. It applies to all new premises or carrying out building work to existing premises. The regulations help to design fire safety into a proposed building or an extension.
Note: Statutory guidance 'Fire safety: Approved Document B' covers building regulation in England and matters within and around buildings.
As part of fire safety enforcement the local fire and rescue authorities often inspect premises. They can issue fire safety notices informing you of changes you must make.
Failing to follow fire safety regulations can result in a fine or a prison sentence.
Workplace Fire Safety Your Responsibilities in the United Kingdom