The regulations affect all employers, all businesses, the voluntary sector and the self-employed in England and Wales. The new law abolishes fire certificates, with fire assessment and the removal of risk becoming the responsibility of the employer of the business or owner of the premises, not the fire department who will cease to complete an assessment.

The effect on the construction industry is massive. Building owners are facing  a potential crisis when it comes to protecting against fire. Contractors, designers and their clients appear to be in the dark about the new legislation. Under the new rules, building owners will have to go into minute detail on how to protect the people in their building against fire.

The assessment must focus of the safety of all relevant people, paying particular attention to identification of risks that can be removed or reduced. This could be everything from making sure the fire seal on a self-closing door does not leak to checking the ducting in ceilings.

Whoever carries out the risk assessment will be liable for anything found to be incorrect, with penalties for errors from fines to imprisonment.  According to the minister responsible for fire safety, Jim Fitzpatrick, the Government’s intention is “to save more people from death and injury by reducing risk and preventing fires.”