On 30th March 2023, the Home Office published three new documents covering fire safety for small premises. The aim is to help responsible persons and building owners understand legal compliance for small non-domestic premises and blocks of flats.
These documents aim to provide simple and practical advice to help responsible persons meet their legal duties under Article 50 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO).
They cover understanding compliance with fire safety law, conducting and reviewing fire risk assessments and identifying and maintaining general fire precautions.
The three guides are:
These documents are part of Phase 3 of the Home Office's fire safety reform programme, which is expected to come into force on 1 October 2023.
Phase 3 will introduce new regulations and legal provisions within Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, building on Phase 1 (the Fire Safety Act 2021) and Phase 2 (the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022).
The goal is to improve cooperation and coordination between responsible persons and make it easier for enforcement authorities to take action against non-compliance.
The Home Office will publish further guidance to help responsible persons understand and meet these new requirements before enforcement later this year.
ARE YOU A RESPONSIBLE PERSON WHO NEEDS HELP WITH FIRE SAFETY FOR A SMALL PREMISES?
The best thing you can do to fulfill on your duty of care as the Responsible Person is to use an accredited Fire Security company. Doing so will ensure your fire detection warning system is fit for purpose and compliant with all legislation.
Like Blake Fire & Security Systems, companies with the BAFE and NSI Gold fire security accreditations will be up to date with the latest British Standards and can help to ensure you get the installation, testing and maintenance plan you need.
It could save your job or even the possibility of a prison sentence!
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For more tips on your role as the Responsible Person, download our free guide, just click below!
