This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New fire safety law for business premises
01/08/2006
Booklets designed to spark awareness of the new fire safety law are being sent to more than 156,000 organisations across Scotland from this week.
The booklet provides guidance to the owners and users of non-domestic premises on their new fire safety responsibilities, before Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act comes into force from October 1.
Part 3 of that Act requires those with responsibilities - such as owners, employers, employees, managers and other occupiers - to take steps to prevent and reduce the impact of fire even if they have never previously held such responsibilities.
Launching the booklet, Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said:
"Too many people in Scotland are killed each year as a result of fire and tragically many of these deaths could be prevented. That's why we are determined to ensure we do all we can to improve fire prevention, not just in the home, but in other premises too.
"Fire prevention already lies at the heart of the work of Fire and Rescue Services across Scotland, but we need everyone else to play their part too. Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act does exactly that by giving new responsibilities to the owners, occupiers and users of non-domestic buildings - both public and private - for ensuring fire safety.
"I would urge all organisations using or occupying non-domestic premises to read the guidance booklet carefully to ensure that they understand whether or not these responsibilities apply to them and what to do to be fully prepared. No-one can afford to be complacent about fire safety because complacency kills. Let's make sure that every building in Scotland is as safe as it can be."
The new legal duties imposed by the legislation seek to achieve safety through seven general requirements, each of which is covered by the booklet:
- Carrying out a fire safety risk assessment of the premises
- Identifying the fire safety measures necessary as a result of the fire safety risk assessment outcome
- Implementing these fire safety measures using risk reduction principles
- Putting in place fire safety arrangements for the ongoing control and review of the fire safety measures
- Complying additionally with the specific requirements of the fire safety regulations
- Keeping the fire safety risk assessment and outcome under review
- Record keeping
Previous fire safety legislation in Scotland has been replaced by the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. That Act generally relates to non-domestic premises and Part Three imposes a range of responsibilities on the owners and occupiers of such properties.
The 32 page, A5 booklet - 'Are you Aware of Your Responsibilities' - is being distributed to more than 156,000 organisations. This provides information and advice on the new responsibilities and also features a Frequently Asked Questions section.
In addition to the guidance booklet, detailed sector specific guides are also being produced and will be published on the above website from next month, on a rolling basis.
These will cover a range of premises including: care homes, offices and shops, sleeping accommodation, factories and warehouses, places of assembly and entertainment, hospital, educational premises, outdoor events, and the transport network.