Fire Marshall Legislation - Staying Inside Fire Safety Law
If you are the owner of a business that employs many staff then it is likely that
you should undertaken Fire Marshall training .In October 2006 the regulations regarding fire safety changed.Previously fire safety certificates were issued but now the responsibility for fire safety lies with the employer. The Fire Safety Order applies to all non domestic premises in England and Wales. The liable person is either the employer, a contractor with a degree of control over the work premises, the person responsible for the business, a charity or voluntary organisation, the person responsible for any part in a home that is solely used for business purposes or any person responsible for providing accommodation to paying guests. Fire Marshall training courses are available to help to delegate responsibility.
Whoever is in charge must ensure that adequate fire safety precautions are taken.The government describe this as carrying out a risk assessment and implementing and maintaining a fire management plan. The governments emphasis is now on preventing fires and reducing risk plus increasing safety for those on the premises and those in the vicinity.The government provide helpful information about how to adequately protect your business and its staff.It is also a good idea to designate more than one person to undergo fire marshall training. Having more than one specified fire marshal will allow evacuation to take place in a safe and organised manner.As a business owner it will put your mind at rest to have structured fire safety procedures and in the case of a disaster it could save lives.
Fire Marshall courses will analyse the failings in existing fire safety procedures including fire prevention,the causes of fire and fire legislation.It will also reinforce basic information including correct choice and use of fire extinguishers and the role of a fire marshal during a fire.
The government suggest that five steps are taken to ensure total preparation for fires.
The five steps are:
1)Recognising fire hazardsconsideration of how fires could start and what could burn.
2)The people at riskeveryone is at risk in a fire but there may be people who are particularly at risk including visitors, children or temporary staff.
3)Evaluate and ActLook at what you have found in the first two steps and work out how to minimise the risks
4)Record, Plan and TrainKeep a record of fire hazards and how you overcame them. Plan how to stop fires occurring and train the staff to know what to do in the event of a fire.
5)ReviewRegularly review your reports and make sure that you factor in changes.
If you take these steps then you will know that you are doing your best to ensure that fire safety standards are maintained at all times.