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| Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, (FSO), all non-domestic premises should now have a legally-designated 'responsible person' who must take ownership of the management of any fire related risks in their premises. The ‘responsible person’ must: |
- Carry out or organise a fire-risk assessment and identify possible dangers and risks
- Think about who might be particularly at risk
- Take actions to remove the risk from fire, as far as reasonably possible
- Put in place precautionary measures to deal with any risks that remain
- Ensure protection in any areas where flammable or explosive materials are stored or used
- Put in place an emergency evacuation plan
- All findings must be recorded and reviewed on a regular basis
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| In most cases it will be obvious who the responsible person is, although in some cases responsibility may be shared. The responsible person will be someone who has control over the premises, or some areas, departments or systems. For example, the designated responsible person could be: |
- The owner, employer or manager of a business for those parts they have control over
- The landlord/owner or managing agent for the common parts of premises or common fire safety equipment such as fire warning systems or sprinklers in premises which are shared between a number of businesses
- Individuals within a multiple occupancy building, such as self-employed people or voluntary organisations if they control someone within the premises
- Any other person who has some control over a part of a premise may also be the ‘responsible person’ in so far as that control extends
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| It is important that all parties concerned are clear as to who the ‘responsible person’ is for the business or premises and that in cases where more than one person has responsibility tasks and roles are clearly defined. |
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