This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New Act on fire safety
02/08/2005
New fire legislation focusing on fire prevention and
safety came into force today with the goal of reducing the
high levels of fire deaths in Scotland.
The
Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 replaces legislation that was
nearly 60 years old and sets out how a modern Fire and
Rescue Service should operate in the 21st century.
Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said:
"Too many Scots are killed or injured as a result of
fires. The key to addressing that grim fact is to turn the
focus of the Service's work increasingly on fire prevention
as well as fire-fighting.
"That is why we placed fire prevention at the heart of
the new Act. I am confident that this legislation will lay
the foundations for delivering a modern service to
communities right across Scotland.
"Legislation is one part of modernisation. So too is
investment. We already provide greater core funding per
head of population than both England and Wales. Between
2003 and 2006 the Service's share of local authority
funding will increase by over £29 million. We will also be
looking at how to ensure that every possible pound is spent
on tackling and preventing fire.
"In the coming weeks we will be setting out the national
priorities and a strategic framework for the Fire and
Rescue Service and will lay that before the Scottish
Parliament. We will also consult on draft fire safety
regulations in the very near future.
"It's vital that we continue to create a modern Fire and
Rescue Service that responds to the demands of 21st Century
Scotland."
The Fire (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish
Parliament on 23 February 2005 and Royal Assent received on
1 April 2005.
Parts 1, 2, 4, 5 and Schedules 1, 3 and 4 of the Fire
(Scotland) Act 2005 are being commenced today. They set out
the principal powers and duties of the Service.
Part 3 of the Act introduces a new fire safety regime
for premises other than private dwellings and these
provisions will not be commenced until next spring,
allowing those who will have responsibilities under the new
legislation to become familiar with these. Detail of
requirements with regard to fire risk assessments and fire
safety measures will be set out in fire safety regulations
due for consultation in the next few weeks.
The Act is the first new piece of major legislation for
the Fire and Rescue Service since the Fire Services Acts
1947 to 1959.