Fire (Scotland) Act 2005
The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 is an Act of the Scottish Parliament that modernised fire safety legislation in Scotland. It repealed and replaced earlier fire safety laws, notably the Fire Precautions Act 1971, in Scotland.
The Act places a duty on relevant persons (dutyholders) to take fire safety measures to protect relevant persons from fire. "Relevant persons" typically includes employees, building occupants, and visitors. The dutyholder is usually the employer or person in control of the premises.
Key provisions of the Act include:
- Fire Risk Assessment: Dutyholders are required to carry out a fire risk assessment to identify fire hazards and risks in their premises and implement appropriate preventative and protective measures.
- Preventative and Protective Measures: The Act mandates the implementation of measures to reduce the risk of fire, ensure safe evacuation in the event of a fire, and provide adequate fire-fighting equipment.
- Fire Safety Plan: Dutyholders must prepare a fire safety plan based on the findings of the fire risk assessment and ensure that relevant persons are informed about the plan.
- Enforcement: The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is responsible for enforcing the Act. They have the power to inspect premises, issue enforcement notices, and prosecute offenders.
The Act is supported by secondary legislation, including the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006, which provide more detailed guidance on specific requirements.