Office design to take on new fire regulations

Office design news from Morgan Lovell

Published on 03-07-2006

This October will see new fire regulations introduced for businesses in England and Wales, which could add an extra dimension to firms' office design plans.

The government claims the new rules represent the biggest overhaul of fire safety legislation in decades and bring together the existing 79 pieces of legislation covering fire safety.

The biggest change will be the end of fire certificates.

Instead, firms will have to carry out fire risk assessments, highlighting where risks can be removed or reduced within the workplace and how office design can change to improve safety.

Fire safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "The government's over-riding aim is to save more people from death and injury by reducing risk and preventing fires."

The changes were originally due to be introduced in April, but the government took the decision to extend the deadline to give businesses more time to prepare and make any necessary changes.

The new rules have been welcomed by Norwich Union (NU), but the insurer has called on the government to further publicise the regulations.

Allister Smith, NU property risk manager, said on Friday: "The most crucial aspect of delivering the reform was always going to be good publicity and guidance, to ensure that those not aware of the changes, or even the existing requirements, are brought up to speed.

"Hopefully this much needed communication exercise will be fully underway soon."