- Fire protection
- Frequently asked questi...
On this page you will find a list of frequently asked questions covering fire safety for businesses.
If you don't find what you are looking for, please visit the Business Safety section of this website or contact a member of our team.
Yes it should be tested once a month to ensure that it is working and the findings of the test recorded in a fire log book. It should also be tested once a year by a competent person.
You should test your alarm once a week, testing a different call point each time. The result of this test should be recorded.
We have a free downloadable log book to record these findings if you need somewhere to record it.
Your alarm must be tested twice a year by a competent alarm engineer.
You should look at the appropriate guide for your type of business premises and judge the appropriate type of extinguisher based upon the risks. In general, though, you should provide one fire extinguisher for every 200m2 with at least two per floor.
If it is a very small premises occupying one floor then one extinguisher appropriate to the level of risk may be ok. Guidance should be sought from a competent fire extinguisher provider.
Yes. You must protect yourself and anyone else in the vicinity of your business from fire. To do this you must assess the risks and make general fire precautions.
The previous requirement to have a written fire risk assessment only applied in certain circumstances (e.g. where the responsible person employees five or more persons). Following the changes implemented by Section 156 of the Building Safety Act this will no longer be the case, and the responsible person will now need to record both the fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements in full, regardless of the size or purpose of the business or premises.
The Fire Safety Order applies to virtually all premises and covers nearly every type of building, structure and open space.
For example:
Offices and shops.
Premises that provide care.
Community halls.
Common areas of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
Pubs, clubs and restaurants.
Schools.
Tents and marquees.
Hotels and hostels.
Factories and warehouses.
It does not apply to domestic premises occupied by a single family.
You must:
Take general fire precautions - as is reasonable.
Carry out a fire risk assessment to identify the general fire precautions.
Apply the principles of prevention and implement fire safety measures.
Plan, organise, control, monitor and review fire safety measures.
Eliminate or reduce risks.
Ensure premises are equipped with firefighting equipment.
Ensure premises have fire detectors and alarms.
Ensure premises have safe emergency routes and exits.
Ensure premises have safe procedures to follow.
Ensure premises have additional measures for dangerous substances.
Maintain fire safety equipment and devices.
Provide fire safety information to employees.
Provide fire safety training.
The Responsible Person is required to:
Carry out or nominate someone to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment identifying the risks and hazards.
Consider who may be at risk.
Eliminate or reduce the risk from fire as far is it is reasonably practical and provide general fire precautions to deal with any residual risk.
Take additional measures where flammable or explosive materials are used or stored.
Create a plan to deal with any emergency and in most cases document your findings, and
review the findings.
Yes. You must protect yourself and anyone else in the vicinity of your business from fire. To do this you must assess the risks and make general fire precautions.
The following guide gives simple and practical advice to assist persons with responsibilities for fire safety in in small non-domestic premises that have simple layouts, low fire risk, with limited fire hazards and a small number of employees, customers, and visitors.
A guide to making your small domestic premises safe from fire (opens in new window)
Yes. You are responsible not only for yourself, but also the people that enter your premises. You must ensure that there are adequate fire safety arrangements.
The following guide gives simple and practical advice to assist persons with responsibilities for fire safety in in small non-domestic premises that have simple layouts, low fire risk, with limited fire hazards and a small number of employees, customers, and visitors.
A guide to making your small non-domestic premises safe from fire (opens in new window)
We can give advice on how to comply with your duties under the Fire Safety Order, however we cannot fulfil these duties on your behalf. If you are still unsure, it may be worth employing a Competent Person to conduct the risk assessment for you.
Not from the fire service as events such as this are licensed by the Local Authority and, as such, contact should be made with them. Sales of fireworks are regulated by Trading Standards.
More about fireworks (opens in new window)
No, although you may be required to obtain permission or a Temporary Event Notice from your Local Authority Licensing team.
No. As a regulatory authority, we are not allowed to recommend or endorse any particular business or provider, but there are many companies who can supply this kind of equipment. The British Woodworking Federation can provide information on this subject for you.
No. We are Statutory Consultees, which means that we are consulted by the Local Authority Building Control or Approved Inspector responsible for signing off the construction work.
We are notified of all building work through this process, so you only need to deal with one point of contact.
As a regulatory authority we are not allowed to provide training or conduct risk assessments, as this could lead to a conflict of interest. We do, however, run several information seminars every year, please contact us for information.
Please contact your local fire safety office with as much information as you can.
Our fire safety inspectors will investigate or give advice as appropriate.
Last updated: Tuesday, 14 November 2023