Fire Precautions Act 1997 (Workplace)

1. Fire Precautions Act 1997(Workplace) By Ollie White and Diggory Rush

2. History of the legislation Previously in the UK, Fire Safety Law and information relating to this was given in approximately 100 separate pieces of legislation. Because of this, business found this difficult to follow and enforce. Eventually two pieces of legislation were put in place to clarify UK fire safety legislation, these were: • Fire precautions act (1971) • Fire precautions (workplace) Regulations 1997, amended in 1999

3. What is the Fire Precautions Act of 1997? The Fire Precautions Act of 1997 is a legislation which all businesses and places of work have to abide by if the company employs 5 or more people. The company must have a written fire risk assessment and detailing the appropriate steps employees must follow to prevent a fire and also in the event of a fire itself. In the written fire risk assessment, specific items of discussion have to be included. These are: • Emergency Exits and Exit Routes • Emergency exit doors must open outwards and must not be sliding or revolving • Emergency lighting has to be provided to cover the minimum area • Equipment such as Fire Extinguishers, Fire alarms and Fire Detectors in appropriate areas.

4. Facts about the Fire Precautions Act 1971 • Fire certificate to determine a companies level of fire safety. • Amended in 1997 • Amended for the 2nd time in 1999 • Amended for the 3rd time in 2001 under the regulatory reform act. This was to simplify the existing legislation • December 1999, Employers were responsible for fire safety and were required to carry out a full Fire Risk Assessment. • Approximately 90% of companies had to comply to the Fire Precautions Act which was subsequently amended in 1999 • If a company employs 5 or more people, the actions of the company whether it be prevention of actual accidents should have been fully documented and put on record for future reference.

5. 6 Legal duties YOU need to know • The company must nominate one key person for special duties such as Fire Wardens. • Companies must notify all employees as to their new roles • Employees must inform their employers of any significant risk in the workplace. • Anyone who is employed to manage the workplace such as a supervisor has to ensure fire regulations are followed. • You must establish an easy way of contacting the emergency services should any incident occur. • Employers must ensure that all employees co-operate and have the required fire safety certificates and/or licenses.

6. Risk assessment • Check for sources of ignition which could potentially start a fire. • Store all combustible or potentially combustible materials away from all sources of ignition • Make staff aware of all potential risk • Identify places which have the potential to assist a fire to spread • Monitor the introduction of heat sources during use.

7. Provision of Fire Fighting Equipment Generalised Fire Safety recommendations advise • 1 13A Rated Fire Extinguisher per 200M2 • 1 13A Rated Fire Extinguisher on every floor • Special Fire Extinguishers for special / dangerous Materials • Fire Extinguishers must be located near Fire Exit Points. • Staff must be made aware of the locations of all fire safety equipment.

8. Maintenance of Fire Safety Equipment There is no legal requirement of check fire safety equipment but it is recommended. • Detection and Warning systems should be commonly checked by an able person or the assigned staff member. • Fire Safety Equipment can also be checked by accredited third person organisations.

9. Information sources • www.fsiuk.co.uk (Slides 2) • www.kiddefps.com (Slide 3 + 4 + 5) • www.defra.gov.uk (Slides 6 + 7 + 8)