very year people die or are seriously injured as a result of fi res in non-domestic properties. Besides the human risk, fi re costs UK business millions of pounds due to property damage, fi nes, compensation, and insurance premiums. Many businesses fi nd that they are not able to recover from the effects of a fi re. • Who is responsible for fi re safety in non-domestic premises?


• What are their duties and responsibilities? • How can I keep people and property safe? • What are the possible consequences of failure to act?


• Where can I get help and guidance? This guide will help to answer these questions and help you to successfully manage fi re safety in commercial premises. UK fi re safety legislation places emphasis on


preventing fi res and reducing risk. Anyone who has some control over premises must take reasonable steps to reduce the likelihood of fi re and make sure people can safely escape if there is a fi re. The regulations apply to virtually all non-domestic premises in the United Kingdom; in England and Wales the communal areas (common parts) of blocks of fl ats, are also included. If you are an employer or have control over the premises or activities that take place on the premises, then you have responsibilities under fi re safety legislation. It is your duty to ensure the safety of the people in the premises. In the case of people who are not employers but have control over premises, the extent of your responsibility will depend on the extent of your control. As this can be a complicated issue, it is sensible for organisations to identify clearly who is responsible for what. UK fi re safety legislation has slight regional variations


which result in different terms used for the person on whom the legislation imposes fi re safety duties. In England and Wales this person is known as the ‘Responsible Person’, in Scotland the term ‘Duty Holder’ is often used, while the term ‘Appropriate Person’ is often used in Northern Ireland. In this guide we will refer to this person as the ‘Responsible Person’. Other differences on requirements of the legislative regimes are discussed in this guide.


Introduction E


BEST PRACTICE GUIDE TO FIRE SAFETY |3


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