What new fire safety guidance means for trade businesses

BigChange has shared insights on what the new guidance will look like and what it means for trades businesses. The introduction of phase three of the Home Office’s fire safety reform programme will be on 1 October, meaning new fire safety guidance and requirements will be issued across the UK.

Simon Field, Business Development Manager, and Fire Security Expert at BigChange, shares, “Phase three will further strengthen fire safety in all FSO (Fire Safety Order 2005) regulated premises, by requiring businesses to do more, when it comes to recording and sharing safety information, as well as making it easier for enforcement authorities to take action against those who are non-compliant.

“In particular, these new changes will see improvements made to the cooperation and coordination between those persons responsible for fire safety, ensuring a cohesive approach to fire safety throughout a building.

“For example, if a building changes hands, or a new organisation becomes the responsible person, then whomever is handing over the responsibility must share all fire safety information with those taking over. Surprisingly, this wasn’t a requirement beforehand, but will allow for a continual record of fire safety throughout a building’s lifespan and will be called ‘The Golden Thread’.

“Guidance to support responsible persons in understanding and meeting the new requirements will be shared before they come into force, so for now businesses need to monitor for updates as and when they’re released, and prepare relevant persons for a more thorough approach to fire safety, ensuring they have the skills required to comply.”