Fire Detection & Alarms
Fire is one of the most serious dangers we
face. Every year around 600 people lose their lives and more than
100,000 buildings are damaged or destroyed by the effects of
fire.
The financial consequences
can be devastating and the suffering immeasurable.
Whilst insurance may help, it does not
compensate for the temporary loss of key
staff, destroyed records, unfulfilled orders, damaged equipment or
the time required to get the business back on track.
Employers and building owners need to ensure
that suitable fire protection is provided for all
premises, with every measure correctly taken to protect their
premises and those in it from the dangers of fire.
This includes having a fire detection and
alarm system that is designed, installed, commissioned and
maintained by a professional third party
certificated company, such as those approved by NSI.
NSI approved companies meet the standards
demanded by Fire Officers and the insurance
industry to reduce the risks and keep insurance premiums at a
minimum.
The onus is on the employer or building owner
to ensure that the contracted company can prove they are
competent to conduct the work.
Third Party Certification (TPC)
Third Party Certification (TPC), as offered by
NSI to companies designing, installing, commissioning and
maintaining fire protection systems, allows them to produce
evidence through certification, that they are competent to complete
the work, giving employers and building owners peace of mind,
knowing that the work has been completed properly.
Fire Safety Legislation
Legislative changes have taken place in
England, Wales and Scotland, with key elements affecting fire
safety in non-domestic premises.
These will require any businesses
contracting companies who install and/or maintain fire protection
systems, to ensure that they and the system installed comply with
the legislation.
Contracting an NSI Fire Gold or Fire
Silver company helps you comply. These changes came into force on
1st October 2006.
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)
Order (RRO). What is the Fire Safety Order?
The RRO was introduced to simplify,
rationalise and consolidate the myriad of existing legislation.
This should also lead to an annual estimated
total cost saving of approximating £1.7m for businesses, as fire
certificates will no longer be required.
Longer-term savings in excess of £100m, should
be achieved due to a reduction in workplace fires.
When did the Order take
affect?
The Order came into force on 1st October 2006
What are the requirements of the
RRO?
The RRO requires that employers designate a 'responsible person'
to carry out fire risk assessments that include:
- the safety of employees and visitors to the site
- fire fighter safety when entering the site during or following
an incident
- protection of property
- employees' job security
- environmental impact
What are the implications for businesses?
- fire certificates
will no longer be issued
- each individual
company will be responsible for fire safety
- all businesses
must conduct Fire Risk
Assessments which must be documented where there are
five or more employees. A series of guides published by
the Communities & Local Government Department to assist with
the preparation of Fire Risk
Assessments.
- fire officers
will have greater authority to gain access to premises and remove
samples following a fire
- each location
will have an identifiable 'responsible person' who takes full
corporate responsibility
- the
'responsible person' should contract a competent supplier, relevant
to fire safety products and services, who has 'the appropriate
skills and experience'. They should have proof of this so that it
can be produced at an inspection, pre or post incident.
Certification provided by an NSI Fire Gold or Fire Silver approved
company achieves this.
Who is the 'responsible person'?
- the employer with control of the workplace
or,
- the person with overall responsibility for a
building or,
- the occupier of the premises or,
- owners of premises such as empty
buildings
For further information, click here
Fire (Scotland) Act
2005
New Scottish fire legislation came into
force on 2 August 2005 with the introduction of the Fire (Scotland)
Act 2005.
Part 3 of the Act introduces a new fire
safety regime for premises other than private dwellings and this
section came into effect in Autumn 2006 in line with Fire Safety
Order (England & Wales).
This is to allow those with
responsibilities under the new legislation to become familiar with
the implications.
For further information,
click here