Current affairs


This situation is exacerbated by the fact that, due to a lack of innovation in the sector, the fire prevention advice given to caterers is needlessly confusing and has not really been updated since the 1970s. That however is changing. New innovation


in fire protection means that kitchens and hospitality sites can be protected more easily and effectively than before. It’s time for caterers, and those who advise them, to catch up and put the standards into effect, increasing their own and customers’ safety and reducing the likelihood of a catastrophic fire that could easily cost them their business.


Fire prevention


Why is it so important to prevent fires? There are several answers to this question. The first is obvious: fires kill and harm people, and destroy lives. Thankfully, the rate of death by fire in the UK has been dropping since 20103


, but


it is still too high and it only takes one major event, such as the Grenfell Tower fire, to remind us how horrific a fire can be and how crucial it is to minimise risk. A more pragmatic response to the question


arises from the fact that the overwhelming majority of businesses affected by fire go on to fail within 18 months of that event4


. So, from a


commercial point of view, prevention is quite clearly better than cure.


Current advice


What fire prevention advice is currently given to catering businesses? There are two strands to fire prevention advice: advice relating to risk and advice regarding firefighting equipment. Let us examine them in turn. The primary legislation relating to fire which applies to almost all businesses in England and Wales is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 20055


, often referred to as the Fire Safety Order,


which sets out various requirements and responsibilities. According to law, all businesses that employ


five staff or more and/or own or occupy a building other than a private home must undergo a fire risk assessment6


and have an emergency plan7


– these are the basics of fire risk management. In Scotland, the applicable law is the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, supported by the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 20068


.


In order to meet their legal duties, caterers need a comprehensive understanding of all of the fire risks they encounter and, as we have already seen, that’s not always easy. If businesses are aware of and compliant with their regulatory duties across the board – for example, if they have all electrical equipment tested according to the regulations, store all ingredients and equipment in accordance with best practice and follow Health and Safety Executive guidance to the letter – they can


FOCUS


www.frmjournal.com APRIL 2020


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