Fire safety Guide for Building Owners and Operators

Guide for persons having control under Section 18(2) Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003.

Section 18(2) of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 places a duty on persons having control over all types of premises other than a dwelling house occupied as a single dwelling. This Guide will assist every person having control in a practical understanding and effective implementation of these requirements in discharging their statutory responsibility for fire safety in a premises.

The persons having control over premises could include, as appropriate the owner, the occupier, lease or somebody hiring the premises. This guide will assist in the identification of the person having control as the person with direct responsibility for fire safety. This guide further outlines general principles of safety and the range of duties which should be applied having regard to the individual circumstances of each premises, rather than a set of rules.

It is expected that this guide will be of assistance in providing standard guidance for building owners. Heretofore, there has been no general national standard fire safety guidance for building owners or operators. It is expected that provision of this Guide will introduce a recognised national approach which will assist in this regard.

This guide will provide a framework for owners and operators of buildings with respect to fire safety. It will provide for clarity and consistency of approach, nationally. It will also help to ensure reasonable standards of fire safety in buildings.