If you’re a business owner, chances are you’ve been told that your restaurant needs to comply with fire safety regulations. But what does that mean? And what are the specific fire safety regulations you need to be aware of as a restaurant owner or manager?
This post will take you through the most important fire safety regulations for restaurants, so you can ensure your business complies. Stay safe and informed!
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Restaurant owners are responsible for ensuring that their premises are safe for staff and customers. In the United Kingdom, that means complying with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO).
This legislation sets out a range of fire safety requirements, including the need for regular servicing of fire extinguishers and adequate maintenance of any fire detection or suppression systems. Restaurant owners who fail to comply with these regulations can face heavy fines and even imprisonment.
As such, it is essential to ensure that all restaurant fire safety regulations are followed so that restaurant owners can protect both their businesses and the public.
The Importance of Staff Training
Restaurant employees must be provided adequate fire safety training under the restaurant fire safety regulations. So your team needs to be trained on how to prevent and extinguish fires, how to evacuate the building in case of a fire and how to use firefighting equipment such as fire extinguishers. Restaurant employees should also be familiar with the restaurant’s layout to quickly and safely evacuate in case of a fire.
Restaurant managers should ensure all employees receive fire safety training when they are hired and refresher training regularly. By ensuring all restaurant employees are properly trained in fire safety, restaurants help prevent fires and protect their customers and employees.
Related reading: Guide to Fire Safety for Restaurants
The Responsible Person
Restaurant owners and operators must appoint a “responsible person” to comply with all fire safety regulations. The phrase responsible person is a little misleading, as there can be more than one responsible person in your restaurant. There could be multiple people, all with different fire safety responsibilities!
For example, a restaurant owner may appoint a manager to be the responsible person, but they may also have other employees responsible for specific fire safety tasks. The head chef may be responsible for ensuring that all cooking equipment is adequately cleaned and maintained, while the waiting staff may be responsible for ensuring that all fire extinguishers are in the right place and visible (and not being used to prop open doors).
In some cases where a fire has occurred, identifying the responsible person can get a little difficult. Nobody wants to take the blame for a fire! While the RRO is generally considered a well-written and all-encompassing piece of legislation, it has been criticised for its lack of clarification regarding the responsible person.
In the event of a fire, it is important to identify the responsible person so that they can be held accountable for any safety breaches. You can find a more thorough legal explanation of the term “responsible person” here.
Duties of the Responsible Person
The responsible person must have the necessary training and knowledge to identify potential fire hazards and the authority to take appropriate measures to mitigate the risks. By appointing a responsible person and ensuring all staff members are properly trained in fire safety, restaurant owners help create a safe environment for employees and customers and remain compliant with restaurant fire safety regulations.
What Does the Responsible Person Need to Do?
As the responsible person for a restaurant, it is essential to be aware of the fire safety regulations that apply to the hospitality industry. To comply with the regulations, the following must be done:
- A fire risk assessment must be conducted
- All fire safety measures must be maintained (fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, smoke alarms)
- All staff must be trained in fire safety to know what to do in the event of a fire
- Emergency procedures must be planned so that everyone knows how to evacuate the premises safely.
By taking these steps, you help ensure your restaurant is a safe place for everyone.
How Are Fire Safety Regulations Enforced?
Restaurant fire safety regulations are enforced in the UK by the Fire and Rescue Services. They are responsible for regularly inspecting all restaurant premises to ensure they comply with fire safety legislation. If they find any deficiencies, they will advise on how to remedy the situation.
In some cases, they may issue a Fire Safety Notice, which requires the restaurant to take specific action to improve its fire safety. If the restaurant fails to comply with the Notice, it may be prosecuted. Ultimately, the Fire and Rescue Services have the authority to close down a restaurant if they believe it poses a serious risk to public safety.
All restaurant owners are required to have a valid Fire Safety Certificate, which must be renewed every three years.
If a restaurant fails a fire safety inspection, the local authority will issue alteration notices to the responsible person, who must make any recommended changes. In more serious cases, such as a lack of fire extinguishers (or the wrong number of fire extinguishers for your business), more severe enforcement and prohibition notices may be given, which usually means the restaurant must close immediately until changes are made.
Restaurant owners and managers must ensure their premises are safe for employees and customers, and failure to do so can result in enforcement action being taken against them.
The Consequences of Non-Compliance
Restaurant owners and operators must be aware of the potential consequences of failing to comply with fire safety regulations. Restaurant fires are a serious problem, and restaurateurs who do not take the necessary steps to ensure their premises are safe may be liable for damages incurred due to a fire.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The most severe offences may lead to an unlimited fine and up to two years in prison. However, even minor offences can carry a fine of up to £5,000.
In addition, restaurant owners and operators who violate fire safety regulations may be subject to civil liability, including damages for personal injuries and property damage. Restaurant owners and operators should take all necessary measures to ensure their premises comply with all applicable fire safety laws.
Related Reading: Guide to Fire Safety in the Hospitality Sector
Fire Safety Regulations in Scotland and Northern Ireland
In Scotland, the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 sets out the general duties of restaurant owners and managers concerning fire safety. It’s largely the same as the RRO, and the key differences are the terminologies used. You can read more about restaurant fire safety regulations in Scotland here.
In Northern Ireland, restaurant fire safety is regulated by the Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010. Again, these regulations contain similar provisions to those in England and Scotland.
Keep Your Restaurant Safe
Restaurant fires are a very real hazard. They can cause extensive damage to property and even loss of life. Restaurateurs must be vigilant in their efforts to keep their premises safe from fire. Fire safety is a shared responsibility, and all restaurant employees should be trained in basic fire safety procedures.
In addition, restaurant owners and managers should always be prepared for the possibility of a fire by having an up-to-date fire safety plan and making sure that all restaurant equipment is properly maintained. By taking these precautions, restaurant managers help keep their businesses safe from fire.
At Astoria, we understand how important it is for restaurants to have a thorough fire risk assessment. The restaurant business is a notoriously high-risk industry regarding fire safety, so restaurant owners and managers must take the necessary steps to protect their customers and employees.
We’re always happy to advise on restaurant fire safety and help you create a safe environment for your team and your customers. Contact us today to find out more about our fire risk assessment service or schedule your FREE restaurant survey. Don’t leave your restaurant vulnerable to the threat of fire — let the experts at Astoria help you create a fire safety plan that meets the unique needs of the restaurant industry.