From the 1st October 2006 it is a legal requirement that every business which employs more than 5 people in one place must carry out a Fire Risk Assessment on the business premises. There must be a written Fire Risk Assessment as you could well be asked for this by the Fire and Rescue Services if they demand. Any significant findings in the Assessment should be written down and acted upon including identifying people who may be at risk within your business.
The repercussions of not carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment in the required manner are significant. Not only could you be fined up to £10,000 but you could have your trading licence revoked and your business closed down. It is also possible that charges of corporate manslaughter could be brought against the Principals as a result of anyone dying in a fire at the business premises where no risk assessment has been carried out and this could mean significant prison sentences for one or more of the Principals of the business. On top of that, your insurers could refuse to cover any fire damage claim if you have not completed a Fire Risk Assessment as required.
It is estimated that some 40% or more of businesses who should have carried out a Fire Risk Assessment have still not done so and are fully exposed to the penalties and potential problems listed above. If you have still to carry out your Fire Risk Assessment or are unsure whether or not the one you have completed would comply with the legal requirements of such an assessment, please do contact David Wells or Andrew Bradshaw on 01625 505870 as Bradshaw Bennett Ltd have retained the services of Magenta Moon Ltd who are experts in carrying out Fire Risk Assessments having worked closely with the fire brigade service to ensure the accuracy and legal compliance of the Fire Risk Assessments they carry out, and they in turn will be happy to supply a quotation for anyone interested in their services.
