Fire Safety for Business

What you need to know

Responsibility for fire safety belongs to the responsible person who must make sure their business complies with fire regulations.

Whether your business is small or large, you are required by law to carry out a fire risk assessment of your premises and produce an emergency plan

• Fire risk assessment guides and principles
• Producing an emergency plan

New fire regulations

The new regulations apply to practically all premises, except single private dwellings. For more details click on the Regulatory Reform Order link to the left of the screen.

Who is the responsible person for fire safety?

* In a workplace – generally the employer will be responsible if the workplace is under their control

* If not a workplace - the responsible person will be the person who has control i.e. the person in charge

* If the person in charge of the premises does not have control then it will be the owners responsibility

Also, it must be remembered that:

* If you have some responsibility for the management of premises, you will more than likely have some legal responsibility for Fire Safety.

* If you have no managerial responsibility you are still responsible for the safety of yourselves and your colleagues.

Enforcement of fire regulations

The enforcement of the fire regulations is the responsibility of Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service. Legal powers enable the Fire Service to make sure premises comply with the regulations.

To be sure of how your businesses is affected by fire regulations, you should ask at your local Fire Safety Department.