Scottish Executive launch advice website 

The Scottish Executive has launched a new website to help Scottish businesses understand the new fire law. 

See the new site here:  www.infoscotland.com/firelaw

The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 Part 3

Part 3 of The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 is set to come in to force on 1st October 2006 and will repeal all existing fire safety legislation. 

The new website takes employers through the basics of the new duties and their responsibilities under the new fire safety legislation.

Under the new law, employers will be required to carry out and keep under review, a fire safety risk assessment and implement any fire safety measures which are required to ensure their employees’ safety and that of others in the premises in the event of fire. The assessment also needs to be reviewed regularly. This may seem like another burden on a busy agenda, however compliance will benefit all by reducing the risk from fire and adding to the safety of persons using the premises.

Work is also currently underway by the Scottish Executive on a series of guidance documents containing more comprehensive information relevant to specific sectors. The documents will be available in due course to download from this website. Businesses can register to receive email updates on all issues related to the new regime, such as progress with the sector specific guidance documents.

The changes in fire safety legislation under Part 3 of The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 will commence simultaneously with the changes in legislation also happening in England and Wales under the new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.