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Small firms advised of fire safety duties
18/04/2008
A national roadshow of short workshops which advised small businesses and voluntary groups about fire safety legislation has been hailed a success.
A survey found 96 per cent of the 388 participants left workshops with the confidence to undertake their legal risk assessment duties.
The 34 free events were held at locations across Scotland, from Stranraer to Lerwick, supported by the Fire and Rescue Services, between January and March.
The initiative, funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by the Fire Protection Association, is part of a drive to promote awareness of fire safety legislation which has placed new duties on those responsible for non-domestic premises.
Extensive guidance has been published on the Firelaw website, including a series of nine guides tailored to specific premises (from care homes to transport premises) and bespoke guidance for the evacuation of disabled people from buildings in the event of fire.
From this month, print copies of these guides have also been made available via the public library network.
Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing said:
"No-one can afford to be complacent about fire safety and the ready availability of information and advice is key to the education of those with duties under fire safety legislation.
"I'm delighted that so many of Scotland's small businesses and volunteers have benefitted from the free workshops. With printed versions of the fire safety guides now distributed, businesses and volunteers across Scotland will have even easier access to information and advice.
"If we all play our role, together we can make Scotland a safer and stronger place in which to live and to work."
Steve Mckenzie, Chief Fire Officers' Association (Scotland), added:
"We wholeheartedly support efforts to raise fire safety awareness among small businesses and voluntary groups. So we were delighted to provide both logistical and technical support to this well-received roadshow of workshops and sector-specific guidance documents.
"The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 have placed new obligations on those with control in the majority of non-domestic premises in Scotland.
"We're therefore pleased that the workshop attendees found it very helpful in preparing them to undertake their duties. As the Minister has said, by working together we can all make Scotland a safer and stronger place in which to live and work."
Sue Tyley, FPA Associate Director, Training, added:
"I am delighted that the feedback from those attending the workshops has been so positive.
"This initiative has been an excellent example of a partnership working well and special mention should go to all stakeholders and umbrella organisations whose support and co-operation contributed to such a successful outcome."
Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 came into force on October 1, 2006 and covers the majority of non-domestic premises in Scotland. The legislation is based on the principles of risk assessment and the requirement for those with control of premises to take steps to prevent fire and to ensure the safety of occupants of the premises in the event of fire.
Around £15,000 funding was provided to deliver the workshops.
The workshops were targeted at those small businesses and voluntary organisations which did not previously fall within the scope of fire safety legislation but which were covered by Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.