Part 3 of the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and the Fire Safety Regulations
(Northern Ireland) 2010 came into effect on 15 November 2010. This simplified existing Fire Safety
legislation in non-domestic premises and reinforced the modern risk based approach to fire prevention.
The Fire Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 was repealed on 15 November 2010 and the previous fire
certification process ceased. Existing premises that have previously been subject to that Order will
most likely be compliant in terms of their Fire Safety measures. However, it is now necessary for
those premises to have a current Fire Risk Assessment.
If a Fire Risk Assessment for the premises has been carried out under the Fire Precautions (Workplace)
Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001 and this assessment has been regularly reviewed, then all that
should be required is a revision of that assessment taking into account the wider scope of the new
legislation as described in the guidance documents.
The legislation has significantly changed the way in which employers and people in control of premises
are required to manage fire safety. Responsibility for fire safety in the workplace now clearly rests with
the employer and those with any degree of control of premises (deemed the appropriate person).
They must take reasonable steps to:
- Reduce the risk from fire
- Ensure people are able to escape safely if there is a fire.
