Contribution by: Mr John Dyson

Comment by: Mr John Dyson

Focus area: Fire safety regulation

Regulator concerned: Fire safety (Fire Authority)

Comment:
Fire safety enforcement accross the UK is inconsistent and multi site businesses which are accustomed to the “primary authority” scheme for food safety and health and safety cannot comprehend why such a scheme is not available for fire safety.
Fire officers believe that the guidance for business is regulation not guidance.
Some fire officers believe that guest houses need sprinkler systems and have difficulty in believing that the costs will bankrupt the business.
Ex fire officers have set themselves up as consultants without established competance and have charged small businesses for fire risk assessments which are not fit for purpose.
Many small hospitality businesses do not understand the concept of “risk assessment” and use a consultant to have it carried out but subsequently forget they need to keep it up to date.
There is no recognised fire safety training standard.