Legislation

Legislation - Fire Risk Assessments Northern Ireland

The Fire Safety (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2006

The Fire and Rescue Services Order 2006 is already commenced and this will be followed by The Fire Safety (NI) Regulations 2006. This will follow the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 which is in effect already in England and Wales, and the Fire Scotland Act 2005 in Scotland.

Under the new fire risk assessment based regime fire certification will cease and all workplaces will be required to have a suitable and sufficient risk assessment that must include all matters relating to fire precautions. The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service will be responsible for the enforcement of new fire safety legislation and Fire certification will cease.

Visit the NIFRS Website further information on Fire Safety in Northern Ireland.

To find out how the new legislation will affect your business please contact us on our helpline or take advantage of our free site visit.

Fire Precautions Workplace Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

This legislation places an absolute duty on employers in Northern Ireland to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment of their Workplace and to take appropriate action to control the fire hazards and the risks to life.

Under these regulations, workplaces must have a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment carried out by a competent person (Defined as someone who has fire safety training, knowledge, experience and skills suitable to carry out the role effectively.)

The findings of all fire risk assessments must be formally recorded if there are 5 or more employees. All employees must be informed of the findings including those identified as being at risk.

Corporate Manslaughter

Business owners and Directors of Limited Companies are now liable to Criminal Prosecution where fatal injury occurs because of the organisations gross breach of a relevant Duty of Care to the deceased. Senior level staff must take proper steps to meet their existing Legal Duty of Care to protect the safety of the people they employ or otherwise owe a duty to (tenants).

An up to date Fire Risk Assessment and logbook contributes to your duty of carw evidence in the event of a fire incident resulting in a serious injury or fatality.

Warning - If your premises are in Northern Ireland without a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment your insurance company may not pay out following a fire incident.