Fire safety reform proposals

The government has published a consultation document covering plans to simplify fire safety law. One proposal is to repeal the Fire Precautions Act 1971 (FPA) and remove provisions dealing with fire safety from other pieces of legislation. A new order would replace these laws, applying the risk assessment principles introduced by the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997. The result would be one fire safety regime applying to all workplaces and other non-domestic premises. Repeal of the FPA would mean firms will no longer be required to obtain a fire certificate but authorities would continue to inspect premises and ensure that fire precautions are adequate.

The document is available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, www.odpm.gov.uk