Businesses 'sleepwalking into crisis' over new fire safety rules

 

 

British businesses are unprepared for the biggest shake-up to fire safety legislation for decades and could be "sleepwalking into a crisis", an industry body has warned.

From Sunday, 78 existing pieces of fire safety legislation will be replaced by one wide-ranging law. Every company in the UK will be required to nominate a "responsible person" to ensure their business is compliant; that individual could be held liable for injuries or deaths in the event of a fire, facing imprisonment or a fine. 

Paul Coughlan said that while large companies employing full-time health and safety officers will be aware of the new laws, due to come into force next week, smaller companies are woefully under-prepared.

According to Norwich Union, the insurers, almost half of small businesses are unaware of the new rules.

Paul Coughlan, said: "Whilst the new regulations will streamline the existing legislation relating to fire safety into one law, they will be far-reaching in their application. 

"It is vital that people take steps to make themselves fully aware of their obligations as ignorance would not be a defence in light of a civil claim or criminal prosecution for breach of the regulations."

A spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses acknowledged that many small businesses were not adequately prepared for the changes, but hoped the authorities would assist small businesses to comply with the law rather than rush to impose fines.

Paul Coughlan of PSC, said: "Companies need to spend more time considering their fire risk assessment, and they need to identify the threats to all aspects of their business, from a small fire that could cause a disproportionate amount of damage to a larger incident that could have greater knock-on effects such as damaging corporate reputation."

 

You can contact PSC on 01455 557877 or email paul@pscfiresafety.com or visit our web site www.pscfiresafety.com  for help and advice.

 

 

Pubs and small business are unaware of new fire regulations

28 September, 2006

Nearly half of all pubs, bars and restaurants not aware of changes

Licensees claim they are in the dark about new fire safety regulations which come into force on Sunday (October 1).

Business organisations have attacked the government for failing to promote the new laws, which could leave pubs which fail to comply facing fines of up to £5,000.

Under the new laws responsibility for fire safety has been shifted to owners and employers - who are now required to assess fire risks on their premises.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) condemned the government after research revealed that nearly half of bars, pubs and restaurants were unaware of the change.

Spokesman Paul Coughlan said: “The publicity campaign has not been good enough. Not enough small businesses know about it.”

 Paul Coughlan of PSC has been working with small business and education establishments for the last three years and said “our aim is to reduce the burden on small businesses and help any company comply with this new law”

If you visit the PSC fire safety web site www.pscfiresafety.com sign up for our free guide to home fire safety.

There are a few solutions to this problem we have sourced a do it yourself pack or we can visit your establishment and do the risk assessment for you.

PSC used an approved format from Leicester Fire and Rescue Service and understand the requirements under the new fire safety regulations which come into force on Sunday (October 1).

At PSC we would be interested to hear from any company that have had a visit from their local fire and rescue service or have tried to get information regarding the up and coming changes, and what the charges the fire and rescue service have charged.

If this has happened to you email the details to paul@pscfiresafety.com

The government’s Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), which is responsible for publicising the new laws, said it had sent out around 1.5 million information leaflets to “as many targeted small and medium-sized businesses as possible, including licensees”.

Advertisements have been running in the media, seminars have been staged around the country and information has been made available online, said the department.

However, Mr Briault believes this is not enough. “There are 4.3 million small businesses in the UK alone,” he said. “If they’ve direct mailed 1.5 million, then what about the rest?”

The FSB has also criticised local fire services for their inconsistent provision of advice to businesses, and the fact that some departments have charged for advice.

The DCLG said there was an onus on pub owners to make themselves aware of any upcoming changes in legislation. A spokeswoman said: “Any business that recognises the significant risks posed by fire in the workplace will keep up-to-date with changes in requirements under law.”

 

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

 

 

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

 

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, which comes into effect from October 1, covers almost every type of building, structure and open space, except for private homes and individual flats, although communal areas will still be affected.

Paul Coughlan of PSC fire safety, said: "It is important for people to understand how the new laws will affect them, particularly small businesses.

Paul Coughlan will be hosting a question and answer breakfast meeting at Rugby FSB monthly networking breakfast on the 15^th September 2006. If you can’t make the breakfast please email paul@pscfiresafety.com and we will forward you the presentation.

"Employers, self-employed people with premises, voluntary organisations, people responsible for buildings with public access and any contractor who exercises control over any premises will have a duty to ensure the safety of everyone who uses their premises.

"They will also have to ensure the safety of those in the immediate vicinity who may be at risk if there is a fire.

"Anyone responsible for premises must carry out a written fire safety risk assessment.

"The Fire and Rescue Service will then carry out inspections. Failure to comply could lead to enforced action or even prosecution."

This will give businesses the opportunity to learn from experts how they can ensure they comply with the new laws.

For more advice and a free home safety guide pleas visit our web site www.pscfiresafety.com scroll down the home page and complete your details.

Remember push the button not your luck!!!!!

If you require advice or want to ask for help please ring 01455 557877 we would love to hear from you.

 

Fire Safety for UK Students

Fire Safety for UK Students

For the first time, student 'fire safety ambassadors' will urge university students living in rented accommodation to stay safe from fire.

Students are at a high risk of fire, as they don't tend to have smoke alarms and their lifestyle habits - smoking, drinking and socialising - pose risks.

The Fire Kills campaign sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government has selected a network of students to raise awareness of fire safety among their fellow students, including gaining coverage in student magazines and websites and distributing leaflets and posters to fellow students.

The 'student fire safety ambassadors' will also work closely with their local fire and rescue services to organise a chip pan demonstrations to illustrate how quickly a chip pan fire can develop, get out of control and put lives at risk.

Sir Graham Meldrum, HM Chief Inspector of Fire Services, said:

"It is so important for students to remember to fit and test a smoke alarm regularly as you are twice as likely to die in a fire if you do not have a working smoke alarm.

"We are using this innovative approach to reach students as they are more likely to take notice of their university peers. The ambassadors will also have excellent knowledge of their local student media. "

The student ambassadors are from the following universities which have been selected according to their population of second and third year students who tend to live in rented accommodation so are at a higher risk of fire:

• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Central Lancashire
• Derby
• Hull
• Leeds
• Leeds Metropolitan
• Leicester De Montfort
• Liverpool John Moores
• London Metropolitan
• Manchester
• Manchester Metropolitan
• Newcastle
• Northumbria
• Nottingham
• Sheffield
• Southampton
• University College London (UCL)
• York
• Warwick

Simple tips on keeping safe in student or any accommodation:

• Fit smoke alarms on each level of the house and test them weekly.
• Don't leave cooking unattended.
• Take extra care with cigarettes and smoking materials.
• Never leave candles unattended.
• Check furniture has the permanent fire-resistant label.
• Practice an escape route with your housemates.
• If a fire starts get out, stay out and dial 999.

 

Please visit our web site www.pscfiresafety.com or email paul@pscfiresafety.com with any questions or comments on the above.