Landlords are reminded that new fire safety regulations came into force on 1 October 2006. These apply to all non-domestic premises.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 introduces a new regime for fire safety which has done away with the old system of fire certificates and given full responsibility to the person responsible for the premises. This person will be required to assess the risks of fire and take steps to reduce or remove them.
Guidance can be found on the website of The Department for Communities and Local Government at http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1500383.
Landlords who have not already done so should act immediately to carry out the necessary fire risk assessments and to make sure preventive and protective measures are taken to minimise all foreseeable risks identified.
