Only half of pubs compliant with fire safety regulations
The research shows that only 52% of 8,200 licensed premises audited were “satisfactorily compliant” after being tested by fire and rescue authorities (FRA), compared to 30% of 4,900 offices and 29% of 6,000 factories and warehouses.
The areas in which premises were most commonly non-compliant were risk assessments, emergency routes and exits and maintaining precautions.
Along with ensuring premises meet safety standards, fire risk assessments – which are a legal requirement – determine the number of people a premises can accommodate at any one time.
Harry Wilmot, director at Middlesborough-based fire protection specialised HE Woolley and member of the National Fire Risk Assessors Council, urged pubs and clubs to update their fire assessments, claiming it could enable them to increase their customer levels – and consequently their takings.
“One of the most common reasons for non-compliance is inadequate risk assessments – sometimes these are out of date or the premises simply doesn’t have one.
“However a risk assessment isn’t only a legal requirement, it can also have a beneficial effect on the way a business operates,” he said.
Increasing capacity
Darlington bar and nightclub The Keys, at Skinnergate, was able to increase its capacity from 550 to 610 after HE Woolley carried out a fire risk assessment on its Grade II listed premises.
“The main restriction on capacity, apart from the size of the premises, is the number of fire exits,” Wilmot added.
“And, although the fire brigade had placed capacity at 550, we advised that that figure could be increased simply by widening doorways and relocating a staircase.”
Nightclub manager Paul Rowntree said: “We have been able to increase the number of people we can legitimately accommodate by 10%. So, not only are we full compliant but the assessment has brought us considerable financial benefits.”
