East Sussex businesses urged to review written fire safety arrangements

Businesses and building managers across East Sussex are being urged to review their written fire safety arrangements to ensure they comply with legislation and reduce the risk of fires.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has issued the reminder as part of an ongoing protection campaign aimed at improving safety in workplaces and residential buildings.

Written fire safety arrangements form a key part of an organisation’s fire safety policy and set out how risks will be managed in practice.

They help those responsible for premises put the findings of fire risk assessments into action and ensure safety measures are regularly managed, monitored and reviewed.

The requirements apply to a range of buildings covered by fire safety legislation, including licensed venues, residential care settings, commercial premises and communal areas in blocks of flats.

A fire safety policy should include a statement setting out the organisation’s commitment to fire safety, details of the roles and responsibilities of appointed staff, and arrangements explaining how safety will be managed on a day-to-day basis.

The fire service said the arrangements should demonstrate how legal duties will be met, provide clear information about procedures and control measures, and be specific to each premises.

They should be in place from the point a building is occupied and reflect information gathered during construction, as well as the findings of the latest fire risk assessment.

Businesses are also being advised to regularly review their arrangements to ensure they remain effective.

The service recommends following the “Plan, Do, Check, Act” principle when developing and maintaining a fire safety policy. The framework helps organisations plan measures, put them into practice, monitor their effectiveness and make improvements where necessary.

The campaign follows joint work involving the fire service, Sussex Police and local licensing authorities.

In April, the organisations issued a letter to those responsible for licensed premises, reminding them of their legal obligations following the fatal fire at the Le Constellation venue in Switzerland earlier this year.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has also worked with the Care Quality Commission to issue fire safety advice to residential care providers, particularly those looking after vulnerable residents.

Katie Cornhill, Risk Reduction (Protection) Delivery Manager said:

“Written Fire Safety Arrangements are a key part of managing fire safety effectively and help to demonstrate compliance, manage fire risks and create safer premises. By working with our partners, we can provide consistent advice and guidance to help those responsible for fire safety understand their legal duties and take positive action to reduce hazards and risk.”

Further information and guidance on written fire safety arrangements is available on the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service website.

Get the latest BREAKING NEWS for the SOUTH on your phone by downloading the V2 RADIO APP today! Read with ease, no annoying pop-up ads.

V2VOUCHERS.CO.UK is offering half-price deals on a wide range of experiences across the South, from meals out at local restaurants to tickets for some of the region’s biggest events.