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Fire Safety Legislation Has Changed – and 9yards is your perfect partner in compliance
Overview
Fire Safety Legislation in Northern Ireland changed on 15th November 2010.
You may have seen Fire Service adverts such as this
on billboards and bus shelters and you may well have wondered what they were about - well, read on...
According to the NI Fire & Rescue Service the legislation change seeks to replace and simplify existing fire safety legislation in all non- domestic premises using a “modern risk-based” approach to fire prevention. Put simply the previous fire certification process has now ceased. It means that any person who has some level of control in premises must take reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire and make sure people can safely escape if there is a fire; effectively placing more responsibility on the business community and less on the Fire Service.
Peter Craig, Acting Chief Fire Officer, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service has stated that “Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service will play a key role in educating, informing and enforcing the new Fire Safety Legislation. We will audit premises to ensure that the required fire safety standards are being met and will work with premises owners … We can also issue enforcement notices and in the most serious cases of failure to comply can consider prosecution.” He has also emphasised that these regulations are intended to support Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service in promoting fire prevention and fire safety awareness in businesses, schools, offices, factories and public buildings across Northern Ireland.
How can 9yards help?
9yards fire safety consultancy was established in 2003 with the specific aim of serving Northern Ireland's business and commercial communities. In fact, even following this change in legislation our ‘Fire Risk Assessment’ offering remains unchanged – we have been ensuring fire safety under this regime since 2003 and continue to offer unrivalled service.
We are proud to be entirely independent and, not being tied to any suppliers, we have no underlying sales agenda - all we want to sell is our fire safety expertise.
Whether you are in need of a Fire Risk Assessment, training, help with Building Regulation compliance or a solution to a totally unique fire safety issue we have the experience and resources to guide you through.
Established by Colin Logan, a fully qualified Fire Safety Engineer and Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers, you are assured of a professional service from start to finish. Add to this a practical grounding with Chartered status, extensive experience in Building Regulation & Design and a broad network of resources including Entertainments Licensing and Disabled Access specialities and you will understand why we should be your first choice for fire safety.
Introduction to the new legislation
Part 3 of the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 came into effect on 15th November 2010. This is intended to simplify existing Fire Safety legislation in non-domestic premises and reinforce the “modern risk-based” approach to fire prevention.
The Fire Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 was repealed on 15 November 2010 and the previous fire certification process ceased. Existing premises that have previously been subjected to that Order will most likely be compliant in terms of their Fire Safety measures. However, it will now be necessary for those premises to have a current Fire Risk Assessment.
If a Fire Risk Assessment for the premises has been carried out under the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and this assessment has been regularly reviewed, then all that should be required is a revision of that assessment taking into account the wider scope of the new legislation.
Who is responsible?
The legislation will mean significant changes to the ways in which employers and people in control of premises are required to manage fire safety. Responsibility for fire safety in the workplace now clearly rests with the employer and those with any degree of control of premises (deemed the “appropriate person”).
They must take reasonable steps to:
- Reduce the risk from fire;
- Ensure people are able to escape safely if there is a fire.
Who will enforce the law?
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service will be the enforcing authority in respect of the majority of premises and will visit premises to ensure compliance with Fire Safety legislation.
What premises does the legislation apply to?
The law applies to almost all premises which are not private dwellings. Examples include:
Offices and shops;
Premises that provide care, including care homes and hospitals;
Pubs, clubs and restaurants;
Places of worship;
Educational establishments including schools;
Theatres and cinemas;
Sports centres and other community premises;
Hotels and hostels;
Guest houses and B&B accommodation;
Shared areas of properties common to several households;
Houses in multiple occupation;
Factories and warehouses;
Tents and marquees;
Transport premises and facilities;
Animal premises and stables;
Open air events and venues.
It does not apply to people’s private homes, including individual flats in a block or house.
What are the main requirements?
- Carry out a fire risk assessment for the premises over which you have control;
- Identify the fire hazards and risks associated with the premises, materials/substances, activities etc;
- Identify the people, or groups of people at risk and anyone who may be especially at risk;
- Remove and reduce the risks as far as reasonably possible;
- Put in place general fire precautions to deal with any remaining risks;
- Implement additional preventative and protective measures if flammable or explosive substances are used or stored on the premises;
- Develop and implement appropriate emergency procedures in the event of fire;
- If you have five or more employees, or require a licence or registration, you must record the significant findings of the risk assessment and any actions you have taken to remove/reduce the risk;
- Review the risk assessment periodically or after significant changes in the workplace.
How can 9yards help?
9yards fire safety consultancy was established in 2003 with the specific aim of serving Northern Ireland's business and commercial communities. In fact, even following this change in legislation our ‘Fire Risk Assessment’ offering remains unchanged – we have been ensuring fire safety under this regime since 2003 and continue to offer unrivalled service.
We are proud to be entirely independent and, not being tied to any suppliers, we have no underlying sales agenda - all we want to sell is our fire safety expertise.
Whether you are in need of a Fire Risk Assessment, training, help with Building Regulation compliance or a solution to a totally unique fire safety issue we have the experience and resources to guide you through.
Established by Colin Logan, a fully qualified Fire Safety Engineer and Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers, you are assured of a professional service from start to finish. Add to this a practical grounding with Chartered status, extensive experience in Building Regulation & Design and a broad network of resources including Entertainments Licensing and Disabled Access specialties and you will understand why we should be your first choice for fire safety.
Don’t delay – call us now on 02893 365 999.
9yards architecture, 9yards fire safety & 9yards property are trading names of 9yards Property Ltd, a Private Limited Company registered in Northern Ireland. Company No: NI606248 Registered Address: Victoria House, 72 Albert Road, Carrickfergus, BT38 8AE
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