The LWF Blog
THE NEW LICENSING ACT 2003 & FIRE SAFETY REGULATIONS 2004
March 28, 2007 4:07 amThe new Licensing Act where applied to premises requires four key objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. Of these ‘public safety’ places the responsibility for the safety of staff, customers and other visitors on the licensee responsible for the premises. Often premises present a mixture of risks some common to licensed premises, others specific. One of the more common risks is related to fire safety, fire precautions requirements and general provisions for emergency escape.
Fire safety issues in Public Houses and Nightclub can affect numbers for safe occupancy, condition and layout of premises, lighting arrangements and special effects. Fire safety is therefore central to the Licensing Act and indeed to fire safety legislation that also applies to the premises and it is an additional statutory requirement in addition to the licence conditions, to prove that fire risk is managed. To achieve an appropriate level of fire risk management, the ‘responsible person’ for the premises is required to undertake a formal fire risk assessment. This requirement is common under existing and future (from April 2006) fire safety legislation.
Consider the implications:
* Licensees and Responsible Persons could be personally liable in cases of negligence or mismanagement.
The combined effect of the new legislation underlines the importance for Owners, Occupiers and Managers of Public Houses and Nightclubs to develop high-level strategies that incorporate both health and safety and fire safety issues. It is particularly relevant where premises owners and operators employ staff who live on-site.
The new Licensing Act where applied to premises requires four key objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm. Of these ‘public safety’ places the responsibility for the safety of staff, customers and other visitors on the licensee responsible for the premises. Often premises present a mixture of risks some common to licensed premises, others specific. One of the more common risks is related to fire safety, fire precautions requirements and general provisions for emergency escape.
Fire safety issues in Public Houses and Nightclubs can affect numbers for safe occupancy, condition and layout of premises, lighting arrangements and special effects. Fire safety is therefore central to the Licensing Act and indeed to fire safety legislation that also applies to the premises and it is an additional statutory requirement in addition to the licence conditions, to prove that fire risk is managed. To achieve an appropriate level of fire risk management, the ‘responsible person’ for the premises is required to undertake a formal fire risk assessment. This requirement is common under existing and future (from April 2006) fire safety legislation.
Consider the implications:
* Licensees and Responsible Persons could be personally liable in cases of negligence or mismanagement.
The combined effect of the new legislation underlines the importance for Owners, Occupiers and Managers of Public Houses and Nightclubs to develop high-level strategies that incorporate both health and safety and fire safety issues. It is particularly relevant where premises owners and operators employ staff who live on-site.
The importance of expert advice
Lawrence Webster Forrest is one of the largest independent fire consultancies in the UK with a range of Safety Management Systems, which have been specifically designed to address these problems specifically for Licensed Premises organisations.
Accordingly, in an effort to support the new government fire safety initiatives, which come into effect this year and next, we are offering a consultation without obligation to discuss your fire and safety management systems.
Lawrence Webster Forrest is one of the largest independent fire consultancies in the UK with a range of Safety Management Systems, which have been specifically designed to address these problems specifically for Licensed Premises organisations.
Accordingly, in an effort to support the new government fire safety initiatives, which come into effect this year and next, we are offering a consultation without obligation to discuss your fire and safety management systems.