Legislation

Please find on this site links to various documents to assist you in what maybe required for your business location all links require Adobe PDF Reader to access them.

Fire and Regulatory Reform Act 2005 Amendments

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/pdfs/uksi_20051541_en.pdf

Safety Signs and Signals – The Health and Safety Guidance on Regulations

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l64.pdf

Approved designs for extinguishers

http://www.hse.gov.uk/cdg/stdcurr.htm

Fire Safety Act 2021

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2021/24/contents/enacted

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT MEASURES

Adequate means of detecting fire should be provided. Adequate means to raise the alarm should be provided. Adequate and suitable provision for first aid fire fighting equipment should be positioned in the relevant place. First aid fire fighting equipment should be accessible and sited in relevant position.

2. SIGNING

Note on signs: Correct reference to appropriate signing should be taken from the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

This regulation states that:Every employer shall ensure that comprehensible and relevant information on the measures to be taken in connection with safety signs is provided to their employees. Every employer shall ensure that each of his employees receives suitable and sufficient instruction and training in the meaning of safety signs and the measures to be taken in connection with safety signs.

Other references: BS 5499 Part 1 1990 shows the most comprehensively understood graphical symbols and fully satisfies EC Directive 92/58/EEC and the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

For hospitals see also HTM 65 Part 2 for graphical symbols. Any non-automatic fire fighting equipment so provided should be indicated by signs or the appropriate safety colour (red).

3. ADEQUATE TRAINING OF PERSONNEL

Where necessary employees should be nominated to implement the above measures. With adequate fire fighting equipment in place all employees should be trained to implement the safe use of the equipment without involving risk to themselves.

4. ESCAPE ROUTES AND EXITS

Adequate escape routes and exits should be provided and available where necessary according to the following principles:Escape routes and exits should lead as directly as possible to a place of safety. In the event of danger employees should be able to evacuate the workplace quickly and as safely as possible. The amount, distribution and dimensions of escape routes and exits should be adequate in accordance to the size, type and maximum number of people who use the building. Emergency doors should open in the direction of escape. Sliding or revolving doors should not be used for emergency exits. Escape and exit doors should be easily and immediately opened by any person requiring to do so and should not be locked or fastened. Escape routes and exits should be indicated by appropriate signs. Escape routes and exits should be adequately illuminated at all material times and adequate provision for escape route illumination should be made for the failure of their normal lighting.

5. MAINTENANCE

All fire fighting equipment, alarms and detecting systems should be adequately maintained. Periodic testing of any fire safety equipment should take place.

6. RECORDS

Records of risk assessments should be kept. All maintenance should be recorded and logged. Management of fire safety should be recorded and appropriate log books kept.