More than three quarters of fire safety professionals admit they are unsure about the implications of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order introduced some 16 months ago.
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) said it was concerned by the findings of a recent survey, which asked fire safety professionals how aware they were of the new legislation. As many as 78% of respondents to the poll – carried out by the organisers of the Firex South Roadshow 2008 and publishers of FSE – said they were unsure about it.
Commenting on the findings, the FIA’s chief executive Graham Ellicott said: “Whenever new legislation is introduced it takes time to filter through, but given the importance of this particular legislation and its implications for protecting business from the ravages of fire, it is vital that the message is driven home.
“What is particularly concerning about this survey is that it is aimed at fire safety professionals, who you would expect to have a much better understanding of the legislation and its implications than the general business owner.”
Norwich Union’s property risk manager Allister Smith said the findings of the survey were “very worrying”. “If the people who are often called upon to advise firms on fire safety regulations are not up to speed, what chance do businesses themselves have?” he told Workplace Law. “Ironically, the Order is not that complicated; in fact much of it is about simplifying the rules on fire safety. I would urge everyone, safety professionals and business owners alike, to make sure they have some understanding of what is required.”
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