Change to fire regulations puts responsibility on pubs

Related tags Risk Risk assessment

New fire regulations could leave pubs without insurance and liable for injuries to staff and customers.Licensees are being warned that their...

New fire regulations could leave pubs without insurance and liable for injuries to staff and customers.

Licensees are being warned that their insurance will be invalid unless they carry out and record risk assessments to show that they have considered the potential risks and taken any necessary steps to address them.

The system replaces the old Fire Certificate, issued by the fire brigade safety officer after an inspection to check fire exits, extinguishers and other safety measures. As current certificates expire between now and early 2005, the new regime comes into effect.

Ironically, the change is part of the government's drive to reduce the red tape burden. It replaces two bits of legislation - the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 - with a single set of rules, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2004.

It also continues the move towards making risk assessment the standard approach to health and safety issues. Licensees should already be carrying out assessments in areas such as food hygiene and cellar safety.

While pubs will now save the cost of inspection and issue of a Fire Certificate, Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA), warned: "In particular, licensees need to be aware that their fire insurance will be invalidated if they haven't carried out a risk assessment."

The FLVA is updating the guidance it offers to members on carrying out risk assessments to include advice drawn up in consultation with experienced fire safety officers.

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