Meet minimum workplace standards

Fire protection

Every business must conduct a fire risk assessment of its workplace and check it meets all the necessary fire safety standards.

Talk to the fire safety officer at your local fire station for more information on the areas you must consider as part of your fire risk assessment.

When looking at fire safety standards you need to consider:

• escape routes to a place of safety
• fire-resistant doors and walls
• firefighting equipment
• fire alarms
• emergency lighting
• safe storage of flammable materials
• staff training

You may need to make changes if your building is sub-standard. And if you change your workplace in any way, you must check it still meets fire safety standards.

Some businesses also require a fire certificate. You must obtain one if:

• your workplace is a public building, eg a shop or restaurant
• more than one business operates in the same building
• you employ more than 20 people, or more than ten of your employees work above or below the ground floor

For more information, see our guide on fire safety and risk assessment.

New fire safety legislation is due to come into force in April 2006. Key features of the legislation include:

• the introduction of one simple fire safety regime that applies to all workplaces
• the introduction of a regime based on risk assessment with responsibility for fire safety resting with a "responsible person"
• no separate certification system for higher risk premises - fire certificates will no longer be valid

A series of industry sector specific guidance documents will be published to provide practical advice on the new legislation. You can find information about forthcoming changes to fire safety legislation for England and Wales on the ODPM website.

Read about changes to fire safety legislation in Scotland on the Scottish Executive website.

Get further advice on controlling risks for businesses in Northern Ireland at the HSENI website.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Ensure basic levels of comfort
• Put up suitable notices and signs
• Provide suitable first aid facilities
• Carry out a risk assessment of your workplace
• Fire protection
• Make sure equipment is appropriate
• Safe use of IT equipment
• Report incidents in the workplace
• Health and safety for people who work at home

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