With the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all other fire legislation was superseded and hopefully fire legislation and individuals responsibilities became clearer.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is divided into 5 sections:-
1. General. 2. Fire Safety Duties. 3. Enforcement. 4. Offenses & appeals. 5. Miscellaneous.
Under Section 2 - Fire Safety duties, the following are noted:-
• duty to take general fire precautions;
• risk assessment;
• principals of prevention to be applied;
• fire safety arrangements;
• elimination or reduction of risks from dangerous substances;
• fire fighting and fire detection;
• emergency routes and exits;
• procedures for serious and imminent danger and for danger areas;
• additional emergency measures in respect of dangerous substances;
• maintenance;
• safety assistance;
• provision of information to employees;
• provision of information to employers of self-employed from outside undertakings;
• training;
• co-operation and co-ordination.
8.2 The Means of Escape from Fire A means of escape is designed using a code of practice and in the case of existing offices, it is "Fire Precautions in Offices and Shops" issued by the Home Office. In new buildings, an approved document is used and all structural fire precautions should be resolved at building control stage before you take occupancy. However, you may have to provide portable fire extinguishers depending on the fire risks you introduce when you take occupancy. Further advice can be obtained from the Fire Brigade, usually in the form of "Notes for Guidance" on any fire precaution matters.
Other means for securing the means of escape.
Other means for securing the means of escape are, for example, the provision of emergency lighting. If the premises are used at night-time, and the mains electricity was to fail, escape routes would not become impassable due to the darkness. Emergency lighting ensures a minimum level of light will always be present, no matter what circumstances prevail. Another example is the provision of fire exit signs to indicate the path to safety, as well as other signs to ensure the means of escape is always clear of obstructions and available.
8.3 Means of Fighting Fire. All premises should be provided with adequate and effective fire fighting equipment. It should be able to deal with any small outbreak of fire in any part of the premises.
8.4 Means of giving warning in case of Fire This could be as simple as giving a warning verbally or the use of a manual gong, in a very small premises, to a fully-blown electrical fire alarm system in larger premises. It usually means a break-glass fire alarm system with or without the means of detecting devices which are required in certain circumstances.
In addition, requirements may be imposed regarding:
• maintenance of the means of escape;
• training of employees and keeping of records;
• occupancy numbers;
• precaution relating to fire risk to persons.
8.5 Maintenance of Means of Escape Your means of escape in case of the fire has to be maintained and unobstructed. All fire doors should be operating correctly and all doors must be available when the premises are occupied. Other requirements may be enforced, such as magnetic door catches released at certain times and checked to see if they are working satisfactorily.
8.6 Training and keeping of records
You will be required to carry out regular fire training and record the results of that training. You will be required to keep records on other fire provisions like the testing of fire alarms, fire extinguishers and fire alarm equipment.
8.7 Occupancy Numbers In most cases, the means of escape is designed to evacuate all the occupants of the premises in the required time. However, on a number of rare occasions when the means of escape cannot cope with the maximum number of people who could occupy the premises, a limit is placed on the premises. The occupancy number is recorded in the Fire Risk Assessment and it is illegal to exceed this number if that is possible.
8.8 Fire risk to persons If there is any risk considered to be higher that the normal risk to persons residing on the premises, additional requirements can be included in the Fire Risk Assessment.
8.9 Explosives or Highly Flammable Materials stored on premises. These may be explosives, highly-flammable liquids, highly-flammable gases or highly- flammable solids.
Explosives are defined in Section 3 of the Explosives Act 1875 (TRU Ref L6.05.3.EX.01).
Highly Flammable Liquids are treated as falling within one of 2 groups, as follows:
• Liquids with a flash point below 32° C.
• Liquids with a flash point of 32° C or higher, but below 65° C.
Highly Flammable Gases comprise any flammable gas other than a supply of gas covered by the Gas Safety Regulations 1972 and include liquefied petroleum gas and, for purposes of this Appendix, oxygen.
Highly Flammable Solids.
The United Nations use a system of classification of flammable solids by type of hazard (Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods) and this system has been adopted. In addition to the above, the HSE ‘Test of Hazard Assessment’ is used to classify those solids which fall outside UN categorization. By using both of the above methods, solids are divided into 2 groups, ‘High Hazard’ or ‘Normal Hazard’.
Synthetic fibers and cellular foams
The use of these materials has increased greatly and their potential contribution to fire hazard is now better understood. These materials are available in a wide variety of shapes and forms, and often their physical form influences their behavior in the fire as much as their chemical composition. The materials listed below are classed as ‘High Hazard’.
• Acrylic fiber.
• Acrylic mixture.
• Acrylic over locks.
• Expanded polystyrene.
• Flexible polyether.
• Polyurethane foam.
• Polypropylene sliver.
• Rigid polyurethane foam (low density).
8.9.1 Conditions of Use or Storage Three conditions of use or storage, as detailed below, will normally be found:
• Materials regularly exposed to the atmosphere in connection with or as a result of their use.
• Materials kept in suitable containers but not in a separate fire-resisting store. (Gas cylinders and containers, cylinders and canisters of liquefied petroleum gas, are not regarded as being stored in this manner).
• Materials consistently kept in vessels of a suitable type and in a separate fire- resisting store not containing substantial quantities of other storage.
Criteria for Certification
The nature and quantities of materials exceeding those detailed below are considered to constitute a serious additional risk to persons in the premises.
Condition of Storage
Material Quantity
When Exposed in Use
Quantity When Kept in Closed Container
Quantity When Kept in Separate Fire Resisting Store
EXPLOSIVES As defined in Section 3 of Explosives Act 1875 but not including shop goods as defined in Order 16a made under that Act or Division 1 ammunition of Class 6c in Order No 1 made under that Act.
None None None
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS Flashpoint less than 32° C
15 liters 75 liters 500 liters
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS Flashpoint over 32° C but less than 65° C
30 liters 150 liters 1000 liters
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE GASES (Other than liquefied gases)
N/A 200m3 Unlimited
LIQUEFIED GASES (Including LPG) other than in aerosol containers
N/A 500Kg 21⁄2 tons
Aerosol containers in which the amount of liquefied gas is greater than 45% by weight of the contents in the total quantity
N/A 20Kg 500Kg
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE SOLIDS High hazard
10Kg 50Kg 250Kg
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE SOLIDS Normal hazard
25Kg 125Kg 500Kg
Highly Flammable Gases comprise any flammable gas, other than a supply of gas covered by the Gas Safety Regulations 1972.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is divided into 5 sections:-
1. General. 2. Fire Safety Duties. 3. Enforcement. 4. Offenses & appeals. 5. Miscellaneous.
Under Section 2 - Fire Safety duties, the following are noted:-
• duty to take general fire precautions;
• risk assessment;
• principals of prevention to be applied;
• fire safety arrangements;
• elimination or reduction of risks from dangerous substances;
• fire fighting and fire detection;
• emergency routes and exits;
• procedures for serious and imminent danger and for danger areas;
• additional emergency measures in respect of dangerous substances;
• maintenance;
• safety assistance;
• provision of information to employees;
• provision of information to employers of self-employed from outside undertakings;
• training;
• co-operation and co-ordination.
8.2 The Means of Escape from Fire A means of escape is designed using a code of practice and in the case of existing offices, it is "Fire Precautions in Offices and Shops" issued by the Home Office. In new buildings, an approved document is used and all structural fire precautions should be resolved at building control stage before you take occupancy. However, you may have to provide portable fire extinguishers depending on the fire risks you introduce when you take occupancy. Further advice can be obtained from the Fire Brigade, usually in the form of "Notes for Guidance" on any fire precaution matters.
Other means for securing the means of escape.
Other means for securing the means of escape are, for example, the provision of emergency lighting. If the premises are used at night-time, and the mains electricity was to fail, escape routes would not become impassable due to the darkness. Emergency lighting ensures a minimum level of light will always be present, no matter what circumstances prevail. Another example is the provision of fire exit signs to indicate the path to safety, as well as other signs to ensure the means of escape is always clear of obstructions and available.
8.3 Means of Fighting Fire. All premises should be provided with adequate and effective fire fighting equipment. It should be able to deal with any small outbreak of fire in any part of the premises.
8.4 Means of giving warning in case of Fire This could be as simple as giving a warning verbally or the use of a manual gong, in a very small premises, to a fully-blown electrical fire alarm system in larger premises. It usually means a break-glass fire alarm system with or without the means of detecting devices which are required in certain circumstances.
In addition, requirements may be imposed regarding:
• maintenance of the means of escape;
• training of employees and keeping of records;
• occupancy numbers;
• precaution relating to fire risk to persons.
8.5 Maintenance of Means of Escape Your means of escape in case of the fire has to be maintained and unobstructed. All fire doors should be operating correctly and all doors must be available when the premises are occupied. Other requirements may be enforced, such as magnetic door catches released at certain times and checked to see if they are working satisfactorily.
8.6 Training and keeping of records
You will be required to carry out regular fire training and record the results of that training. You will be required to keep records on other fire provisions like the testing of fire alarms, fire extinguishers and fire alarm equipment.
8.7 Occupancy Numbers In most cases, the means of escape is designed to evacuate all the occupants of the premises in the required time. However, on a number of rare occasions when the means of escape cannot cope with the maximum number of people who could occupy the premises, a limit is placed on the premises. The occupancy number is recorded in the Fire Risk Assessment and it is illegal to exceed this number if that is possible.
8.8 Fire risk to persons If there is any risk considered to be higher that the normal risk to persons residing on the premises, additional requirements can be included in the Fire Risk Assessment.
8.9 Explosives or Highly Flammable Materials stored on premises. These may be explosives, highly-flammable liquids, highly-flammable gases or highly- flammable solids.
Explosives are defined in Section 3 of the Explosives Act 1875 (TRU Ref L6.05.3.EX.01).
Highly Flammable Liquids are treated as falling within one of 2 groups, as follows:
• Liquids with a flash point below 32° C.
• Liquids with a flash point of 32° C or higher, but below 65° C.
Highly Flammable Gases comprise any flammable gas other than a supply of gas covered by the Gas Safety Regulations 1972 and include liquefied petroleum gas and, for purposes of this Appendix, oxygen.
Highly Flammable Solids.
The United Nations use a system of classification of flammable solids by type of hazard (Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods) and this system has been adopted. In addition to the above, the HSE ‘Test of Hazard Assessment’ is used to classify those solids which fall outside UN categorization. By using both of the above methods, solids are divided into 2 groups, ‘High Hazard’ or ‘Normal Hazard’.
Synthetic fibers and cellular foams
The use of these materials has increased greatly and their potential contribution to fire hazard is now better understood. These materials are available in a wide variety of shapes and forms, and often their physical form influences their behavior in the fire as much as their chemical composition. The materials listed below are classed as ‘High Hazard’.
• Acrylic fiber.
• Acrylic mixture.
• Acrylic over locks.
• Expanded polystyrene.
• Flexible polyether.
• Polyurethane foam.
• Polypropylene sliver.
• Rigid polyurethane foam (low density).
8.9.1 Conditions of Use or Storage Three conditions of use or storage, as detailed below, will normally be found:
• Materials regularly exposed to the atmosphere in connection with or as a result of their use.
• Materials kept in suitable containers but not in a separate fire-resisting store. (Gas cylinders and containers, cylinders and canisters of liquefied petroleum gas, are not regarded as being stored in this manner).
• Materials consistently kept in vessels of a suitable type and in a separate fire- resisting store not containing substantial quantities of other storage.
Criteria for Certification
The nature and quantities of materials exceeding those detailed below are considered to constitute a serious additional risk to persons in the premises.
Condition of Storage
Material Quantity
When Exposed in Use
Quantity When Kept in Closed Container
Quantity When Kept in Separate Fire Resisting Store
EXPLOSIVES As defined in Section 3 of Explosives Act 1875 but not including shop goods as defined in Order 16a made under that Act or Division 1 ammunition of Class 6c in Order No 1 made under that Act.
None None None
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS Flashpoint less than 32° C
15 liters 75 liters 500 liters
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS Flashpoint over 32° C but less than 65° C
30 liters 150 liters 1000 liters
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE GASES (Other than liquefied gases)
N/A 200m3 Unlimited
LIQUEFIED GASES (Including LPG) other than in aerosol containers
N/A 500Kg 21⁄2 tons
Aerosol containers in which the amount of liquefied gas is greater than 45% by weight of the contents in the total quantity
N/A 20Kg 500Kg
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE SOLIDS High hazard
10Kg 50Kg 250Kg
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE SOLIDS Normal hazard
25Kg 125Kg 500Kg
Highly Flammable Gases comprise any flammable gas, other than a supply of gas covered by the Gas Safety Regulations 1972.
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