Community buildings in a changing landscape Add music Community buildings in a changing landscape Chapter 5

Chapter 5 Add music Fire safety

Under the Fire Safety Act of 2005, responsibility for annual inspection of community premises passed from Fire Service to the Management Committee of the building. “Under the Fire Safety Act of 2005, responsibility for annual inspection of community premises passed from Fire Service to the Management Committee of the building. You need to be aware that it is your duty to carry out a fire risk assessment of your building and if there is a fire and you have not got an up-to-date fire risk assessment, your insurance may be invalid.”

Your responsibilities Every community building must: Appoint a responsible individual Formally accept the Fire Risk Assessment and take action on any identified risks Publicise the risks and the actions to be taken by all users to avoid or minimise risk Review the Fire Risk Assessment regularly Ensure that adequate fire fighting equipment is available Every community building must: Appoint a responsible person to undertake a Fire Risk Assessment, this can be a member of the Managing Committee Formally accept the Fire Risk Assessment and take action on any identified risks, this can be done through minutes at meetings and actions taken must be recorded. Publicise to all users the potential fire risks and actions to be taken by all users to avoid or minimise risk, this could be done when sending out a booking form with terms and conditions. Review the Fire Risk Assessment regularly, you must ensure that it is reviewed at least annually and record the fact that it has been reviewed Ensure that adequate fire fighting equipment is available, most organisations have a contract with a reputable company to provide the equipment but the equipment needs to be maintained and be fit for purpose Failure to comply with these requirements means that the premises could be closed and there is a risk of prosecution should a fire result in injury or loss of life

For further information please contact RAY on 0845 313 0270