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New  Legislation from the 1st of October 2023

From 1 October 2023, changes to the Building Safety Act came into force. These changes require all non-domestic premises, such as where people work, visit or stay to produce a Fire Risk Assessment.

So, from the 1st of October to be compliant with The Building Safety Act and The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all business premises require a Fire Risk Assessment regardless of the size of the business/building or how many people are employed.

Therefore, every business with premises will require a Fire Risk Assessment completed and reviewed on a regular basis. 

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For your Fire Risk Assessment needs or if you have any questions then please give me a call or an email.

 

Tel: 07938 150 156     

Email: tracey@safetysol.co.uk

 

HOT WORKS

Hot works is a temporary process that can become a source of ignition when flammable material is present or can be a fire hazard regardless of the presence of flammable material in the workplace.

Hot Works includes any process that generates flames, sparks or heat. Such activities might include:

• Cutting

• Welding

• Brazing

• Soldering

• The use of blowlamps

• Abrasive disc cutting

• Bonfires

When flammable materials are present, processes such as grinding and drilling also become hot work processes.

Before carrying out any hot work, a careful assessment of the works should be made.

Other safer options should be considered such as:

■ Using cold cutting or cold repair techniques

■ Replacing rather than repairing.

Where this isn’t practical, a hot works permit must be completed.

The intention of the hot works permit is to check that certain actions and precautions are in place to reduce the risk of a fire occurring as a result of a hot process.

The risk arising from hot processes may be catastrophic and must be controlled to either eliminate or minimise the risk.

Any activity involving hot work must be fully risk assessed by a competent person prior to the commencement of works.

A safe system of work must also be developed and implemented on site.

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NEWS

A London property management company has been fined in excess of £80,000 for serious fire safety deficiencies in an Islington block of flats.

The inspectors found severe breaches of the Fire Safety Order, including a lack of fire extinguishers, a non-functioning fire alarm, combustible material in shared spaces, and holes in the walls.

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London Fire Brigade inspectors made two visits to the five-storey building on Danbury Street in Islington, which consists of more than 40 self-contained flats. The building is managed by Eurolets (UK) Limited.

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An Enforcement Notice was issued to Eurolets in 2016 following the outcome of a visit by the LFB, which was then sufficiently adhered to. However, at the visits this year, the inspectors found similar defects to the previous inspection. Heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Eurolets was charged with the following ten offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, and they entered guilty pleas for each:

1. failure to take general fire precautions

2. failure to have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment

3. failure to ensure appropriate fire arrangements

4. failure to ensure exit routes were clear and unlocked

5. failure to ensure appropriate fire safety measures are in place and conveyed to employees and residents

6. failure to maintain and ensure fire safety equipment

7. failure to provide employees with sufficient fire safety information

8. failure to provide adequate safety training

9. failure to ensure adequate structural compartmentation

10. and a further charge in respect of combustible items in the second inspection

 

They were also ordered to pay a fine of £60,000, a victim surcharge of £170 and costs of £20,000.

Paul Jennings, assistant commissioner for fire safety, said: “The combined effect of the deficiencies was that if a fire had started, there was a risk of an uncontrolled spread of heat, and smoke and flames affecting the whole premises, coupled with the only means of escape being overcome with smoke. “We are pleased with the outcome of this case, which is thanks to the hard work which is done every day by our fire safety inspectors. It should also serve as a warning to property managers that we will take action where people are not taking their responsibilities seriously.

 

“There’s no excuse for leaving people’s safety to chance, especially when information is so readily available to those with responsibility for safety in buildings to understand what their duties are and ensure they comply with the law.”

24th November FPA Magazine (Author)