If you own or manage a non-domestic property, including common areas of a building with multiple occupancies – then you are legally required to provide emergency lighting provisions in the event of a power failure. The principal fire safety legislation in England and Wales is The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and there are other health and safety laws that cover specific situations. This legislation has changed the way fire safety is managed in buildings. Responsibility for the safety of occupants and users now rests solely with the owner, employer, or occupier of the premises.
British Standards, Codes of Practice and other documents offer guidance for compliance with safety legislation, but need to be based on risk assessment.
More information regarding the legislation can be found at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/contents
The Responsible Person
Each building must have a person (or persons) responsible for fire safety.
You are responsible for fire safety in business or other non-domestic premises if you’re:
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an employer
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the owner
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the landlord
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anyone else with control of the premises, for example a facilities manager, building manager or managing agent.
You are known as the ‘responsible person’. If there’s more than one responsible person, you have to work together to meet your responsibilities.
Non-domestic premises are:
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all workplaces and commercial premises
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all premises the public have access to
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the common areas of multi-occupied residential buildings
The responsible person has a duty under law to:
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Carry out suitable risk assessments
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Establish that safety systems are designed, constructed and maintained so as to reduce risk
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Ensure there is adequate illumination on escape routes and exit doors
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Highlight escape routes and exit doors with signs
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Maintain the safety systems in an efficient state, in good working order and in a good state of repair
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Appoint one or more competent persons, depending on the size and use of your premises, to carry out any of the preventive and protective measures required by the Order
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Provide employees with sufficient fire safety training
Risk Assessments
The responsible person cannot assume that they have complied with their legislative liabilities just by application of the standards. Only by carrying out risk assessments and implementing the protective and preventative measures identified, can their responsibilities under the law be deemed to have been fulfilled
It is a legal requirement that the responsible person shall carry out suitable risk assessments for the event of a failure to the normal lighting supply.
They must employ competent persons to assist with this.
The risk assessment should:
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Determine the hazards
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Identify the people at risk
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Evaluate the risks
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Provide measures to remove, reduce and protect from risk
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Record the findings and corrective measures taken
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Be reviewed and revised where necessary
Competent Persons
The responsible person must employ competent persons to assist with the fire safety measures and systems in the building.
Third Party Certification by a UKAS accredited body is the best assurance of quality when looking for a provider to help meet your fire safety requirements. It offers independent verification and evidence that a company is competent and working to the appropriate standards and best practice for the specific service you require.
To find out how legislation could affect your building please contact us here