Owners of business, industrial or community property in the
Midlands could be risking prosecution and jeopardising their fire
insurance by not having proper fire risk assessments, according to
building health and safety experts at national commercial property
consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH).
Recent research has shown that as many as half of all business
premises haven't had adequate fire risk assessments, despite the
fact that they are required by law, and failing to have one can
invalidate insurance.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) legislation of 2006 requires
employers and anyone else having control of premises such as
managers and contractors, must have a fire risk assessment of the
premises and activities carried out in and around them. The
regulations include community facilities. They place a specific
duty on the owner to review fire risk assessments annually and if
five or more employees or volunteers work at the premises the
assessments must be in writing and backed by policies.
Michele Wright, Senior Health ad Safety and CDM (Construction
Design and Management) in LSH's Birmingham office said, "The
regulations are clear, but many business property owners are
risking a lot by not complying with the requirements. This is
despite the fact that the disruption caused to a business after a
fire can be devastating, and most never recover."
She added, "Good fire safety and continuity planning are
essential in supporting fire prevention. Ultimately it is the
responsibility of every business to ensure their premises are
compliant. Failure to comply with the legislation can result in
fines of up to £20,000 and/or two years imprisonment and
insurance companies have the potential to refuse claims on the
basis of non-compliance.
"I would urge business owners to seek the right advice and take
all measures necessary to avoid leaving themselves open to the risk
of prosecution, or worse, a major fire," she said.
For more information about Lambert Smith Hampton, please visit
their website here: www.lsh.co.uk