Fire Safety Law

To Meet fire safety law requirements, workplaces need to meet the following basic criteria: 

  • Prevention: Take reasonable steps and establish sensible precautions to reduce the risk of fire. 
  • Preparation: Put plans and procedures in place to ensure safety should fire ever break out. 
  • Scotland – The Fire Safety Regulations, 2006 
  • England and Wales – Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, 2005 
  • Northern Ireland – The Fire Safety Regulations, 2010 
  • United Kingdom – The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR), 2002 

Fire Safety Law – DSEAR

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations, 2002 outlines the employer’s responsibilities to prevent explosions in the workplace.
These regulations cover items that are: 

  • Flammable 
  • Explosive 
  • Oxidising 

Substances of this kind require close regulation. If your company uses such substances regularly, you and your colleagues must undergo specific DSEAR training.

  • The warning sign for explosive atmospheres is just the letters EX in black font on a yellow background.
  • A triangular symbol indicates there is an explosive atmosphere nearby
  • A hexagonal symbol indicates this device has been certified for use in EX environments

Fire action if you discover a fire

  • Operate nearest fire alarm point
  • Call the Fire brigade by telephoning 999
  • Leave the building by the nearest exit
  • Report to your assembly point
  • Do not stop to collect personal belongings