GB, UK & European :    ADR and CDG    Safety Sign Reg’s    PER and PED    PSSR    Old Legislation England & Wales :    Fire Safety Order    Health Act    RRFSO Scotland :    Fire Safety Reg’s    Fire (Scotland) Act    Smoking Act

Drastic changes to the regulatory regime for fire safety took effect from 1^st October 2006. Following a lengthy review of the simply staggering volume of legislation in this area, over 100 separate pieces of legislation that applied prior to the review have been amended, repealed or revoked.

The end result of all of this is that now by far the vast majority of fire safety legislation is only contained in:

• the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (“Fire Safety Order”), for England & Wales; and
• for Scotland, the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006, along with the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 from which they originate.

For Everyone in Great Britain

Whether for England & Wales, or for Scotland, the requirements in this legislation are very similar (in fact, often word-for-word identical) in their fire-safety requirements and in particular in their requirements for:

• the need for risk assessments;

• the provision & maintenance of firefighting equipment;

• employee training & information provision;

• means of escape & emergency lighting;

• safety signage; and

• provision & maintenance of fire alarm systems.

All of the new legislation also tightens up considerably on responsibility, accountability and the need for competence. The law’s teeth in both cases come in the form of new offences with penalties extending all the way to 2 years in prison and an unlimited fine!

Follow the links above to read more about the legislation that effects you. Alternatively, should you wish for any further information under this subject, please feel free to contact us.

Public Availability of Legislation

Copies of most legislation is available from the Government’s Official UK legislation site.