FHP advises tenants not to play with fire

Property Management News

Midlands Property Advisor of the Year, Fisher Hargreaves Proctor (FHP) is now advising on the new Fire Safety Order (FSO) which came into effect on October 1st. All FHP tenants are being notified of the order and advised to carry out the necessary requirements. FHP is acting swiftly to advise others on how to ensure that the new order is followed correctly.

The FSO means that commercial buildings from offices and hospitals to educational premises and care homes must now complete their own Fire Risk Assessments. This thorough survey must take into account all items that were previously incorporated in the Fire Certificate including other associated risks such as sources of ignition and means of escape. The assessment can then be used to produce a document which gives guidance on the controlling measures best suited to mitigate the risks identified.

David Powell, assistant management surveyor of FHP, said: “We’re working to help all our tenants understand and carry out the self certification and are completing our own surveys of communal areas to ensure our client’s compliance. The FSO falls under Health and Safety Regulations so the penalty for not completing a fire assessment could be a severe fine or even imprisonment. We’re recommending that all businesses in commercial buildings become familiar with the new FSO as soon as possible.”

The FSO replaces the Fire Precautions Act (1971) and Workplace Regulations (1997-1999) with the aim of simplifying, rationalising and consolidating all existing legislation. Previously the fire safety provisions were scattered across more than 100 pieces of varying legislation and had overlapping requirements which made it very difficult for businesses to accurately follow. It is hoped that the new regulations will allow businesses to clearly understand their responsibility to fire safety.