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11 June 2005 - New Fire Safety Order
Completed
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UPDATE - The new Fire Order has been published
online and can be accessed by clicking the following link:
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The largest single reform of fire safety legislation in over 30
years - The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order - has now been agreed by
Parliament and only applies to England and Wales.
The new law which will come into force in April 2006 simplifies
and consolidates over 70 pieces of fire safety legislation and repeals the Fire
Precautions Act 1971. Improvements in fire safety will also include
placing the responsibility for fire safety on the employer or 'responsible
person' for that building or premises. He or she will be required to
assess the risks of fire and take steps to reduce or remove them.
This also means that businesses will no longer require a fire certificate,
however, fire and rescue authorities will continue to inspect premises and
ensure adequate fire precautions are in place. Another key proposal
is that it will introduce a duty to maintain those fire precautions required
under the Building Regulations for the use and protection of the fire brigade.
The order was laid before Parliament on 10 May 2004.
The order was approved by the House of Commons on 24 May 2005 and by the House
of Lords on 7 June 2005.
Fire and Rescue Service Minister Jim Fitzpatrick commented:
"The reform of fire safety legislation will improve public
safety by placing a greater focus on fire prevention. It is also good for
business and the Fire and Rescue Service as it will make fire safety legislation
easier to understand.
"We have worked with representatives from business, the Fire and Rescue Service,
trade unions and other bodies in bringing forward this change - the largest
single reform of fire safety legislation in over 30 years.
"But, its completion through Parliament is not the end. We'll now work with our
partners to produce guidance to assist businesses in meeting the legal
requirements of the order before it comes into force next April."
Further proposals for the fire safety regime are that:
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it will introduce a duty on the fire authorities to promote
community fire safety
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it will introduce powers of entry for the fire authorities to
investigate fires and the power to take away samples for testing
The House of Commons Select Committee on Regulatory Reform has
published a new report on the draft Order. The Select Committee's report can be
accessed by clicking the following link: House of Commons - Regulatory
Reform - Ninth Report
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmdereg/495/49502.htm
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