In the UK, ensuring fire safety is not just a moral responsibility; it’s a legal obligation for businesses that own or lease commercial buildings.
Complying with tight fire safety governance and policies is crucial for safeguarding your business and the people within your premises.
In this blog post, we will discuss the rules and regulations that business owners must adhere to and the risks associated with non-compliance.
Fire Safety Regulations for Commercial Buildings
UK fire safety regulations for commercial buildings in England and Wales are outlined in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
In Scotland, the requirements are covered in Fire (Scotland) Act 2005. Every company must have a “Responsible Person” who regularly conducts fire risk assessment at least once per year.
What is a fire safety inspection certificate?
A Fire Safety Certificate is an official document issued by the local fire and rescue authority to confirm that your commercial premises meet the necessary fire safety standards.
You’ll have to send your application to the local fire department so that they can come and inspect the property. Once the fire inspector is satisfied, you’ll receive the fire safety certificate.
Commercial Landlord Responsibilities for Fire Safety
Both the landlord and the tenant have some responsibilities toward the fire safety of the commercial place. The landlord has to ensure that all fire safety equipment is maintained, tested and serviced regularly. These include fire alarms, fire extinguishers, hose reels and sprinklers.
Fire alarms should be maintained under the British Standard BS 5839.
Landlords should keep escape routes clear and well-marked. Fire exit signs should be visible and in good working condition.
The BS 5499 fire safety signs are per The Health and Safety Regulations 1996.
Commercial kitchen fire safety
Commercial kitchens are particularly susceptible to fires due to the presence of flammable materials, high heat sources, and busy cooking environments. To reduce the risk of fire incidents, strict fire safety measures must be implemented such as regular inspection and employee training.
Employees need to be aware of evacuation procedures and how to use fire safety equipment.
KBO’s approach to fire safety
At KBO Fire & Security, we understand the importance of fire safety and regulations for both commercial and residential properties. We can support you with a free audit of your premises by our experts and, then provide a tailor-made service to you.
We offer high-quality fire alarm systems such as:
- Fire detection systems
- Wireless fire detection systems
- Fire suppression and extinguishing systems
- Aspiration systems
- Emergency lighting
- Portable fire extinguishers
- Remote monitoring
Those systems can be fully integrated with other security systems such as access controls or CCTV cameras.
Our job doesn’t end with the installation process; we also offer maintenance and monitoring as our main objective is that you stay safe.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you with our fire safety alarms or to request a free initial survey, please get in touch. Call our friendly team today on 0800 999 60 70. We look forward to hearing from you.
