Important fire safety laws still being ignored

Overall, just 62% of businesses questioned by NURS risk advisers in May were aware of the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. A similar survey carried out just before the Order came into effect last year showed that 57% were aware of the regulations at that time.

Awareness had gone up most among firms with between 11 and 50 employees - 75% now compared to 63% last September, while knowledge among those with more than 50 employees had also risen - up from 83% last year to 87%.

However, awareness of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order had hardly changed among firms with 10 employees or less, with just 45% aware of the regulations 8 months after they had come into effect, compared to 44% last September.

Knowledge of the regulations was highest among the accommodation/hospitality (79%), manufacturing (71%) and services (71%) sectors. Just under two-thirds (62%) of offices were aware of the Order, as were 51% of motor traders, 50% of storage/distribution firms and just 38% of retailers.

Again these results were largely in-keeping with the findings from last September, although there was a noticeable improvement among manufacturing (63% in 2006) and motor trade businesses (37% in 2006).

Risk assessments

Worryingly, the survey also revealed that some businesses had clearly over-estimated their knowledge of the Order, with only 55% of firms of all sizes knowing that the rules had come into effect on 1 October 2006.

In addition, the study revealed that over a third (36%) of businesses had failed to carry out a crucial procedure required under the Order - a fire safety risk assessment.

Again the results were worse among firms with fewer than 11 employees, where only 48% had carried out a fire risk assessment, either by themselves or with help from a third party. Almost three-quarters (74%) of mid-sized firms had done an assessment, as had the majority (90%) of larger businesses with over 50 employees.

Fire risk assessments were in fact a legal requirement before the Order came into effect. Of those firms that had already carried out a risk assessment before October 2006, 49% had reviewed it since.

Interestingly, despite an obvious lack of compliance with the legal requirement to undertake a fire risk assessment, only 14% of businesses questioned were interested in receiving training in carrying out the procedure.

It was pleasing to note that although only seven residential care homes were questioned as part of the survey, all were aware of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order and each of them had carried out a fire risk assessment.

Legal requirement

NURS technical services manager Ted Kenrick said he was not surprised by the results, as it was apparent that small firms in particular often found it difficult to keep up with new legislation.

"However, the importance of carrying out a fire risk assessment cannot be over-emphasised, no matter how large or small the business," he added. "This is a legal requirement that no company can afford to ignore - lives depend on it."

Martin Hartley, NURS property risk specialist, said that businesses needed to take-up every opportunity of support that was presented to them, whether it be from the fire and rescue services, insurers or other fire safety specialists.

"It is bad enough that the law is being broken by a significant number of employers, but our research shows a worrying lack of interest in training and assistance in complying with these regulations."