New fire regulations could lead to loss of lives

BUSINESS owners across the UK are being urged not to penny pinch when it comes to new fire regulations soon to be introduced.

Nick Lewis, a partner at Bolton law firm Kippax Beaumont Lewis, explains:

All businesses need to have a Fire Certificate in order to operate. These have always been supplied free of charge by the local Fire Service but from January 2005, such certificates will no longer exist.

Instead, businesses will become responsible for their own fire risk assessments. Most businesses will need to rely on the expertise of an external consultant to undertake a review and this could cost quite a lot of money depending on the size of the premises and nature of the business.

Although a system will be implemented to penalize business owners who fail to undertake assessments and implement suitable precautions, Lewis is concerned that many will flout their obligations.

I’m certain that many businesses won’t want to pay for an assessment and will just carry on without commissioning a fire risk assessment. The harsh reality is that such unscrupulous people could be jeopardizing many lives in their bid to save a few pounds.

While I’m the first to admit that reforms were needed, I’m not convinced the government has thought this particular aspect through to its logical conclusion.