The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 received Royal Assent on 1 April 2005. Parts 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the Act commenced in August 2005. Part 3 introduces a new fire safety regime for non-domestic premises and is due to come into force on 1 October 2006 and will replace the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997, as amended. Fire certificates will no longer be required after 1 October 2006 and the new fire safety regime will be based on the principle of risk assessment (similar to the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations).
Fire safety regulations are currently being prepared which will contain detailed provisions in respect of fire safety risk assessments and fire safety measures. These regulations are also planned to come into force on 1 October 2006.
Guidance documents are being drafted to complement the new legislation and help those with fire safety responsibilities under the new legislation understand their duties. A guidance booklet which will be applicable to all premises, regardless of the size and activities undertaken on the premises will be available from August. The booklet will be posted to businesses, voluntary organisations and charities in Scotland. It will also be available, free of charge, from Blackwell's Bookshop, 53 South Bridge, Edinburgh. Local fire and rescue authorities will also have a supply of the booklets and may be able to assist with any requests for additional copies (check the phonebook for contact details).
The guidance booklet is available now for downloading from a new website dedicated to the new fire safety regime which can be accessed at www.infoscotland.com/firelaw. The website includes a facility for signing up to receive e-mail updates on progress with the new legislation and the availability of guidance documents.
In addition, a series of 10 sector specific guides is being produced for publication on the new website as and when each is completed.
A publicity campaign has been launched to promote awareness of the new legislation and the availability of guidance documents. The campaign will include the distribution of the guidance booklet; poster displays; radio adverts on local radio stations; articles in newspapers and other publications.
If you have any queries about the new fire safety legislation, planned publicity campaign or guidance documents, you can contact the Justice Department Fire Branch on 0131 244 5338 or 0131 244 2784. Alternatively you can send an e-mail to FireScotlandAct@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.