REGULATORY REFORM (FIRE SAFETY) ORDER 2005

October 1st saw the new “Fire Safety” regulations come into force which has replaced all the old numerous pieces of legislation relating to this “burning issue”.

The old system of Fire Authorities issuing fire certificates is out and in comes a new responsibility on owners and/or managers of work places to identify sources of fire danger and ensure that the building occupants are not endangered.

This new onus means a duty of care is placed on the owner/manager to carry out risk assessments of the dangers and put in place corrective measures to eliminate or at least minimize the risk – in a multi-tenanted building this responsibility lies with the landlord or managing agent. Anyone found to be in breach, where life is lost or injury is caused by fire, would be criminally liable and could face heavy fines and/or prison.

This has a major impact on grease extracts from cooking facilities as they are a very real and present danger when it comes to fire safety, as Terminal 1 Heathrow and South Mimms services will testify. Insurance companies have become much more aggressive for the past few years in their stance on cleaning and now there is legislation to back this up.

System Hygienics’ customers have long known the benefits of employing a professional cleaning service which is Insurance company recommended and which meets the strict criteria of HVCA TR19 standards to ensure fire safety requirements are met. If you haven’t already done so NOW is the time to act to ensure your kitchen extract is not compromising your fire safety.