Bristol, UK - Fire Alarm Regulations discussed by Elite Fire & Security

Fire Alarm Regulations can be complicated and confusing if you are a business owner or a landlord who has no one in your business who has up to date knowledge and expertise of fire safety, so we have put together an easy and understandable summary for you.

A fire breaking out in a business or commercial premises can be devastating for you, your team, your customers and the operational running and cost implications to your business, as well as being a threat to lives and serious physical and mental injury.

Fire Alarm Regulations form part of the overall Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which is also known as the ‘RRO’. This details everything you need to know as a business in regards to fire safety but is a lengthy and complicated document. A good and reputable Fire Safety Business will be able to simplify it for you, summarise and explain the obligations you have as a business or commercial property owner.

All businesses must carry out a fire risk assessment and take necessary actions to ensure that any issues raised have been addressed, and policies and procedures have been put in place to eliminate any potential fire risks.

What is the aim of a Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire risk assessment is an in-depth review of a workplace and will identify those things, situations and processes that may cause harm, particularly to people. After the risk assessment is complete the findings should be analysed and evaluated; how likely and severe any risks are and what systems and processes should be put in place to minimise them.

What are the 5 Steps of a Fire Risk Assessment?

1. Identify hazards; anything that may cause a fire to start and result in harm or injury (employers in the UK have a duty to assess the health and safety risks faced by their employees and take any necessary action)

2. Assess who may be at risk, and how

3. Assess any risks, including fire detection, warnings and escape routes, taking necessary action

4. Make a record of the findings and all actions that are taken

5. Regularly review the risk assessment

###

Does your workplace or business need a fire alarm?

The UK Fire Alarm Regulations state that all UK business premises must have ‘an appropriate’ fire detection system in place to ensure that; if a fire breaks out it is easily detected and that all occupants are alerted and able to evacuate quickly and safely.

Fire Alarm Regulation Summary

It is a legal requirement and your responsibility as the owner of a business or commercial property to ensure you have the correct fire safety measures and procedures in place after an in-depth fire risk assessment has been completed. If safety measures, procedures and the correct fire detection/alarm systems are not in place and a fire breaks out your insurance can be invalidated and you will be liable for injuries, fatalities and the cost of property damage which can amount to millions.

Fire detection and alarm systems give an early warning of fire and, or smoke and enable a safe and speedy evacuation of premises for all occupants.

A Fire Alarm Specialist like Elite Fire & Security will have a comprehensive understanding of the Regulatory Fire Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and will be able to establish if a business and or premises meets the UK’s legal requirements by completing a full and in-depth fire risk assessment and review: elitefiresecurity.co.uk/fire-alarm-regulations/