Fire Up For Safety Rules

Event description

According to the London Fire Brigade 80% percent of businesses never recover from the effects of a fire. That's a pretty sobering statistic yet incredibly one in three businesses are putting lives and livelihoods at risk by failing to comply with fire safety legislation that came into force eighteen months ago.

The Fire Safety Order came into effect in October 2006 and represented the biggest overhaul of fire safety legislation in decades. The rules cover almost any non-private building, from offices and shops through to factories, warehouses and community buildings.

Since last October Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service (BLFRS) has been busy chasing businesses to ensure they comply. 

Main points

Explains Deputy Chief Fire Officer Graeme Smith:

‘Larger firms with full time Health and Safety officers by and large are taking the right steps, but some smaller companies are overlooking their responsibilities. We know they are busy and that is why we are offering help and advice.’

‘However, if firms persist in ignoring this legislation we will have no option but to take enforcement action. We would rather that than find ourselves sending a fire crew to deal with a blaze at a business where property and persons could be at risk.’

Adds Mr Smith:

‘In commercial terms the average cost of a simple fire to business is £134,000 and that rises to millions for serious damage - so the message here is that we must work together to reduce risk to your businesses.’

Now the Chamber is working in partnership with BLFRS to help businesses get to grips with the regulations at a series of half-day workshops.

Further information

	This event cannot be booked online because it is due to start in the next 5 days however places may still be available. Please contact us on 01582 522316.

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