The Government is introducing new fire safety regulations, affecting all non-domestic premises in England and Wales. It is due to come into force on 1st October 2006, in accordance with the 'Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005’. The new law will have the following implications:

• The Fire Certificate will be abolished and will cease to have legal status, exposing your premises to current health and safety regulations.
• The law makes it the responsibility of employers, landlords and owners to ensure the safety of everyone who uses the premises and anyone in the immediate vicinity.
• Employers, landlords and owners are legally responsible for ensuring their premises comply with the new Fire Safety Order.
• All fire protection equipment must be up to date and serviced to comply with the new Fire Safety Order.

The local Fire and Rescue service will carry out inspections to enforce the new Fire Safety Regulations.

For non domestic properties in England and Wales, all employers, landlords and owners are legally responsible for their premises to comply with the Government’s Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. A&E covers all areas in the Fire Safety order:

• Offices and shops
• Factories and warehouses
• Sleeping accommodation
• Residential care premises
• Educational premises
• Small and medium places of assembly
• Large places of assembly
• Theatres, cinemas and similar premises
• Open air events and venues
• Healthcare premises
• Transport premises and facilities

The new law will require that premises carry out Fire Risk Assessments arranged by the responsible person at your premises. A&E Fire Equipment can offer the service of a Fire Risk Assessment for your premises, which needs to be carried out to help identify potential areas which will need to comply with the new Fire Safety order. The assessment will provide an in depth report which will include:

• A full and comprehensive site survey.
• Identification hazards and fire safety.
• Guidance for employers on the necessary requirements to ensure compliance and reduce potential fire risks to a practical level.