LEGISLATION

Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001

Every employer, or person responsible for common areas of buildings in multiple occupation, has an absolute duty imposed by the Regulations to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment. Under these regulations, workplaces must have a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment in place that includes all matters relating to fire precautions, which must be reviewed regularly (normally annually). The findings of the fire risk assessment must be formally recorded if there are 5 or more employees.

All employees must be informed of the findings including those identified as being at risk.

Definition of suitable and sufficient – Must be carried out by someone who has had suitable training to carry out Fire Risk Assessments, minimum industry standard - PAS 79 Model, and have sufficient experience, minimum 6 months, in carrying out Fire Risk Assessments.

Warning – If your Fire Risk Assessment is not suitable and sufficient your insurance company may not pay out following a fire incident.

The Fire & Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2006

These Regulations are expected to come into force in 2009 and will replace all existing legislation. This will follow the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 which is in effect already in England and Wales, and the Fire Scotland Act 2005 in Scotland.

These new regulations will consolidate over 70 pieces of existing Fire Safety Legislation.

Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007

Business owners and Directors of Limited Companies will be liable to Criminal Prosecution where fatal injury occurs because of the organisations gross breach of a relevant Duty of Care to the deceased. Senior level staff must take proper steps to meet their existing Legal Duty of Care to protect the safety of the people they employ or otherwise owe a duty to (tenants).