Is your business prepared for new Government fire safety rules?

This Business Safety Week, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) wants to make sure all businesses in the county are aware of important changes which start next month.

Business Safety Week takes place from 11-17 September and is run by the National Fire Chief's Council (NFCC).

From 1 October 2023, new Government fire safety legislation comes into effect throughout England and Wales. It means all businesses will need to record a fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements in full, regardless of the number of employees and size or type of business.

There are also more requirements for cooperation and coordination between 'Responsible Persons' in multi-occupied buildings or those where the occupier and the owner are not the same person.
Business owners and those responsible for buildings affected by the changes can access a range of information online to help and advise them:

• A five-step checklist for fire safety risk assessments can be found on the gov.uk website
• Government guides on how to carry out a fire risk assessment, targeted at different types of business can also be found on the gov.uk website
• Guidance on fire safety risk assessments for businesses can be found on the NFRS web pages

Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, cabinet member for Communities and Partnerships, said: "We know business owners have a large number of responsibilities, which is why we'd like to make sure they are ready and prepared for these changes in fire legislation.

"Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service would like to support the county's businesses in these changes, which have come in from Government and are designed to help prevent fires to keep everyone safe and ensure business can remain productive, safe and legal."

NFRS is also running a series of social media posts this week to help business owners with the new legislation. You can find them on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.