Scotland has a separate fire service and fire safety legislation >>Please click if you require information on fire legislation in Scotland<<.

Where does the 2005 order apply?

It applies to all public and commercial buildings, structures and open spaces, for example:

• Offices and shops
• Care homes and hospitals
• Community halls, places of worship
• Shared areas of properties several households live in
• Pubs, clubs, and restaurants
• Schools 
• Sports centres
• Tents and marquees
• Hotels and hostels
• Factories and warehouses

Please note that the order does not apply to private homes or flats.

Who is responsible for fire safety and evacuations?

 The person in charge of that building is responsible, e.g. the owner, manager, or landlord.

The responsible person must:

• Provide an updated fire risk assessment that identifies any possible dangers and risks. 
• Complete an updated emergency evacuation plan for the premises. For example, the plan should Identify all people likely to be on the premises, where the designated meeting place is, fire escape routes/exits and fire alarms available. 
• Consider everyone who might be on the premises.

>>Further factors to cover in a fire plan & assessment<< 

PEEPs (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans)

A personal plan is required for anyone who needs additional help to evacuate the building in an emergency, including:

• Mobility impairment, e.g., wheelchair user
• Sight impairment
• Hearing impairment
• Cognitive impairment
• A medical condition or injury which might cause them to need assistance to evacuate safely.

The plan must:

• Identify areas that are used by disabled people. Consult with the person on this. 
• List specialist equipment that may be necessary, e.g. an Evacuation Chair is used to help a mobility-impaired person make a quicker and safer evacuation. 
• Name anyone appointed to assist the person in an emergency.
• Identify all disabled accessible routes and exits.
• Identify any staff training required in relation to the personal plan.

>>Futher information on Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans<<

Extra fire safety points for disabled people 

• Ensure to have audible and visual alarms to assist the deaf and blind. 
• Part M, Section 1B of the Building Regulations states that an entrance door should have a minimum clear opening width of 775mm, and Ideally, the door opening should be 900mm wide for a wheelchair user.
• Disabled individuals should be located on the ground floor preferably. Avoid parts of the premises where it would be difficult for them, even with help, to escape in the event of a fire.
• An access ramp to a fire door must be non-combustible, such as a metal ramp . Wooden ramps will burn if exposed to fire.

Fire escape routes & exits 

Ideally, there should be more than one escape route from all parts of the premises, and the escape route should lead to a final exit and a safe place.

High-risk rooms should not generally open directly into a fire-protected stairway. 

Stairways, corridors and areas near the fire exits should be kept clear of obstructions and material which can catch fire.

Review the types of doors around the premises

Remember that BS (British standards ) 8300-1 and 2:2018 Design of an Accessible and Inclusive Built Environment, does state that if the force required to open doors is greater than wheelchair users can manage, or the closing force is too great, it risks those with a disability having to stop or being pushed off balance.

Points when reviewing doors:

• Automatic swing doors are ideal in corridors and in spaces where there is no passing or waiting traffic near the sensors activating zone. 
• All fire doors will need to conform to the requirements of BS EN 1155 and Building Regulations. 
• It is recommended doors be fitted with a self-closing device. 
• In premises with high footfall, push (panic) bars or push pads on doors are recommended. 

Fire exit ramps

Unlike wooden ramps, steel is a non-combustible material that will not burn and melt at temperatures typically encountered in building fires.

Previous success stories:

Harrington Primary School, Nottingham

The main school building was destroyed in a fire. A temporary building with modular ramps was required before the children returned to school in September. >>READ CASE STUDY<<

Maidenhead library, Maidenhead

We were taked with replacing the wooden ramp to the fire exit. It was weathered and unsafe for use in the event of an emergency.

A steel Rapid Ramp was chosen since the material is non-combustible; therefore, it does not burn if exposed to fire. >>READ CASE STUDY<<