Fire safety Scotland - consultation on guidance
06/12/05
The Scottish Executive is consulting on the first in a series of sector-specific guides to inform persons with fire safety responsibilities for non-domestic premises under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.
Thompsons Scotland has stated that the proposals should be radically overhauled with a view to establishing enforceable standards offering real protection to workers in Scotland.
The controversial Act heralds a regime based on fire safety risk assessment covering most premises in Scotland except private dwellings (with the exception of some maintenance requirements in respect of fire-fighting equipment located in the common areas of private dwellings).
At present appears that the guides will fail set prescriptive enforeceable standards a nd will simply summarise fire safety responsibilities suggesting courses of action for those required to comply with the legislation.
Sector specific
The Executives claims that the guides will complement the new legislation in respect of fire safety responsibilities in:
residential care premises;
offices and shops;
factories and warehouses;
premises providing sleeping accommodation;
educational premises;
large places of assembly;
small and medium places of assembly;
theatres and cinemas;
healthcare premises;
outdoor events; and
the transport network.
The guides are for persons with fire safety responsibilities for non-domestic premises under the 2005 Act, ie:
owners;
employers;
employees;
other persons who have control of the premises to any extent and any persons who, through contract or tenancy, have obligations in respect of maintenance or safety of the premises;
enforcing authorities such as the local Fire and Rescue Service.
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