For the purpose of this article Employers and Workplace Managers & Building Owners & Operators will be collectively referred to as the Person Having Control (PHC).
Responsibility for fire safety management within workplace premises in Ireland falls on the shoulders of the Person Having Control (PHC) of the workplace premises. The PHC may be an individual person, number of persons or an organisation those shown here:
Fire Safety management within a workplace premises is primarily governed by the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. These laws place clear responsibilities on PHC’s to prevent fire-related incidents and protect all persons using the buildings at any time.
For the purpose of supporting the PHC in meeting their legal obligations in this regard, a fundamental requirement will be to engage a suitably competent person to undertake a fire safety risk assessment of the building. The fire safety risk assessment undertaken in accordance with the PAS 79 methodology will identify fire hazards, and evaluate the likelihood of fire, and also consider who may be at risk in the event of a Fire.
The PHC must implement measures to eliminate or reduce risks identified in the risk assessment. It is recommended that the PHC undertakes to have the fire safety risk assessment reviewed where there has been a significant change or for any other reason to believe it is no longer valid.
On an ongoing basis the PHC must ensure that there are adequate means of escape and emergency exits, that are clearly marked and unobstructed at all times. Emergency lighting should be provided where necessary to ensure safe evacuation during power failure and in the event of a fire.
Fire detection and alarm systems and fire doors, must be suitable for the size and layout of the premises and be maintained in good working order. Additionally, the PHC must provide appropriate firefighting equipment, such as portable fire extinguishers, and also ensure that these are maintained and readily accessible at all material times.
The PHC is required to ensure that employees receive appropriate fire safety training, including how to respond in an emergency, how to use firefighting equipment safely, and evacuation procedures. The appointment of fire wardens or marshals to coordinate evacuation efforts is also recommended.
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, the employer is required to have an emergency plan, conduct regular fire drills, and maintain documentation of all fire safety procedures and training.
Failure to comply with these obligations can result in enforcement actions from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) or the local fire authority, including fines or prosecution.
If you require support in meeting your obligations under the Fire Services Act 1981 and 2003 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 with respect of Fire Safety please contact us today.
FIEI, Chartered Engineer
Aidan is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland with over 38 years of experience in the design, project management, and construction sectors. He has a deep understanding of the industry and needs of clients and leverages this experience to deliver tailor made solutions that align with each client’s goals and objectives.
Aidan is an Expert Contributor to the National Standards Authority Ireland (NSAI) and regularly acts as an Expert Witness for all major insurers in Ireland and the U.K. He is recognised as an industry leading expert in the identification and remediation of latent defects related to Fire Safety, Structures, Water Ingress, and Cladding problems and has only in the last year successfully completed a number of large multimillion remediation projects in Ireland, the U.K. and Europe, specifically targeting Fire Safety and Water Ingress matters. Aidan’s knowledge and experience across numerous regulatory and legal jurisdictions ensures a very comprehensive and balanced approach to all projects.
Aidan holds a Bachelor’s in Engineering from University College Dublin and several other technical and project management qualifications from Trinity College, demonstrating his passion for and commitment to continued professional development.
Contact by email: aidan@firesafetyconsultants.ie
