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New fire safety rulesBy Calbarrie
New fire safety rules, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 will be enforced in England and Wales on October 1st 2006 Employers should start thinking about new fire safety responsibilities which come into force in October or face the risk of prosecution. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 means any employer responsible for 'any premises in England and Wales where people gather' will have a duty to ensure the safety of everyone who uses their premises and those in the immediate vicinity who may be at risk if there is a fire. The legislation covers nearly every type of building, structure and open space except for private homes and individual flats in a block or house, although communal areas will be affected. Anyone responsible for premises must carry out a fire safety risk assessment by 1 October 2006. The Fire and Rescue Service will carry out inspections and failing to comply with the order may lead to a fine or up to two years imprisonment. Checklist The order states that the person responsible for the safety of employees and other persons that might be affected need to manage: Fire risk assessmentsFire Safety Policy Fire procedures Fire Drills Means of escape Signs and notices Emergency Lighting Fire Alarms Fire Extinguishers Fire Doors & Compartments Fire Evacuations The order says that all employees must be given adequate fire safety training including training in the use of fire extinguishers. Calbarrie recommend that that any client that has not done so already should implement a No Smoking policy in all buildings to reduce the risk of fire. Calbarrie also recommend the installation of fire detection systems appropriate to the risk on top of the statutory number and type of portable fire extinguishers. About the Author: Founded in 1970, Calbarrie has seen sustained growth over the years, becoming a major name in the Health and Safety Testing and PAT testing. Operating from numerous locations throughout the UK, we offer a national coverage. Calbarrie are able to provide training to any size of organisation that is not currently prepared for th
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