Contribution by: Keiron Davey

Submitted on: August 1, 2012

Comment by: Keiron Davey

Focus area: Fire safety regulation

Regulator concerned: Fire safety (Fire Authority)

Comment:
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue (LFR) would like to take the opportunity and submit a response to the above review in particular to how it supports businesses comply with the requirements of the Fire Safety Order 2005 (FSO).

The introduction of the FSO was reported to assist in Reducing Administrative Burdens on business. The Hampton report assisted Fire and Rescues into providing an effective inspection and enforcement regime. We in Lincolnshire constantly strive to ensure we assist businesses to achieve compliance. We work closely with local chamber of commerce and provide additional guidance and templates to assist local business. We recognise the pressures and constraints on small and medium enterprises to attend seminars and functions outside the workplace and attend breakfast meetings as well as evening seminars. These tend to be short and very concise to allow minimal disruption.

LFR deliver legislative fire protection activities and enforcement with the business community in partnership with other agencies e.g. HSE. The Community Fire Protection Team (CFP) provides support and information to businesses that have had a fire or Unwanted Fire Alarm causing disruption to the business. Furthermore, we assist business in the locality of any fire in raising awareness and offer support and information where requested.

As with all Fire and Rescues we conduct campaigns focussing on types of premises e.g. Hotels, where we have been successful in identifying a rogue fire alarm installing company within this sector.

The team have also developed positive working relationships and new ways of working with our building control partners which assist in speeding up the consultation process for building works consultations and enables early feedback to premises for expectations of the FSO.

Should you require any further information LFR would be pleased to offer a more detailed response.