Your Fire Safety Management Duties Explained
Over the last couple of weeks we have focused on specific areas of fire safety management, our blog posts have been about undertaking sufficient fire risk assessments and providing fire safety training.
Today’s post wraps up the miniseries on fire safety management and looks to reaffirm who is responsible for managing fire safety and why.
Who is responsible for fire safety management?
The ‘responsible person’ for safety is responsible for all fire safety management compliance matters in your business. If you are reading this article, chances are that’s you, or at least someone you know, isn’t it?
If it is you, then you know you have legal obligations for fire safety. However, maybe your first and foremost priority is your day job. You have enough on your plate without having to think about fire safety too, right?
Well, fire safety management can be simple when done right.
We’ve put together a short overview of your legal duties and the processes one can follow to effectively manage fire safety, whatever the workplace.
Your Legal Duties
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2006 (you can view it here) requires fire precautions to be put in place ‘where necessary’ and where it is reasonable and practicable to do so. Here are a few of the main duties you need to carry out:
- Competent persons
- Policy
- Procedures and arrangements
- Fire risk assessment
- Fire marshals / wardens
- Fire safety training
- Fire safety equipment
- Communication
Appoint one or more competent persons – A competent person is someone who has the suitable knowledge, qualifications and experience to oversee your day to day fire safety management obligations and to ensure that you remain compliant.
Policy – Must be in writing, highlight roles and responsibilities for fire safety. You should put together an action plan that states how you are going to manage arrangements and particular risks highlighted in your fire risk assessment.
Fire risk assessment – This must be carried out by someone who is competent to do so. The point of your fire risk assessment is to identify and reduce or control fire risks and hazards. It should identify the persons at risk, the type of harm that could come to them and cover any specialist considerations, such as disabled people and children.
Procedures and arrangements – These are plans you put in place that detail exactly how you manage particular areas of legislation. They should be bespoke to your business and its inherent risks. Here are a few things to consider:
- Emergency plan
- Disability and PEEP (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan)
- Record Keeping
- Fire drills
Fire Marshals / Fire Wardens – You must appoint one or more to carry out your business’ day-to-day fire safety management duties. Find out more about the role of the Fire Marshal here.
Provide suitable training – Fire safety should be covered in induction training. All Fire Marshals must be provided with the appropriate training for them to competently carry out their day-to-day fire safety duties. There are also training courses available to explain in detail the legal obligations of the ‘responsible person’ for fire safety management. Check out all of our training courses here.
Communicate the risks – You need to communicate risks to all relevant parties, including employees and third parties such as contractors. You also need to establish a means of contact with emergency services.
What should you do next?
If you think there are any concerns with your fire safety management, then contact us today for a review.
We have a range of services to help you with fire safety management and would be more than happy to discuss everything related to fire safety with you.
