Introduction to Fire Safety

Fire safety legislation

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 which came into force on 1st October 2006, applies to the vast majority of premises and workplaces in the UK. There are few exceptions (reference should be made to the legislative text for specific details on exclusions).

The legislation firmly places the responsibility for compliance on a ‘Responsible Person’. The responsible person must carry out a Fire Risk Assessment, produce a policy, develop procedures (particularly for evacuation), provide staff training and carry out Fire Drills. The responsible person must provide clear Means of Escape, Signs, Notices, Emergency Lighting, Fire Detection & Alarm and appropriate Fire Fighting Equipment.

Jactone offer a comprehensive range of Fire Fighting Equipment, enabling full and complete compliance of needs identified by a Risk Assessment.

Standards relating to fire fighting equipment

Relevant Product Performance Standards:

BS EN 3

Portable Fire Extinguishers

BS 7937

Specification for portable fire extinguishers for use on cooking oil fires (Class F)

BS 6165

Specification for small disposable fire extinguishers of the aerosol type

BS EN 1869

Fire Blankets

Selection, Installation and Servicing of Fire Equipment including Portable Fire Extinguishers, Hose Reels and Fixed Systems (Water, Gaseous, Foams, Powders)

BS 5306 

Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises.

including...

BS5306, Part3 

Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises –

Code of practice for the inspection & maintenance of portable fire extinguishers.

BS5306, Part 8

Fire extinguishing installations and equipment on premises –

Selection and installation of portable fire extinguishers Code of practice.

Pressure equipment - essential knowledge & the CE mark

The Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999 (“the PER” – SI 1999/2001) implemented the Pressure Equipment Directive (“PED” 97/23/EC) in the United Kingdom and entered fully into force on 29th November 1999. The PER were amended in two respects by the Pressure Equipment (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/1267) with effect from 30th May 2002.  The regulations apply to items with a working pressure above 0.5 Bar (approx 7.5psi). All Pressure Equipment and assemblies sold within the European Community or European Economic Area (EEA) from 30/5/02 had to comply with the PER and consequently carry the CE Mark. With regard to Fire Extinguishers, the CE Mark confirms the safety of the equipment, not the performance e.g. for Fire Extinguishers it does not confirm the Fire Fighting performance. This can only be satisfactorily confirmed by independent Fire testing and 3rd Party Product Certification, such as BSI or LPCB Product Certification marks.