Posted By shaun mckeever This link should be of interest to anyone interested in fire risk assessments http://www.london-fire.g...k/news/detail.asp?id=844

Posted By Renny Thomson I don't know why David you are being so negative about the changes in legislation. Ownership of fire safety responsibilities should be with the owner/occupier and not reliant on the Fire Service to carry out inspections. Fire safety risk assessments should form the cornerstone of any building's fire safety management. As for the reform in bringing together over 100 pieces of legislation, it should be easier than trying to look in over 100 statutes and guides.

Posted By paul dryden The action was taken under previous legislation, not the RRO(FS)O. The fines were pretty steep and calls into question the consistency, (remember how we get castigated), of the Court system. I am not belittling the seriousness of the offence or the potentially deadly outcome, but this level of fine was only previously levelled at a hotel in Bolton where two people died. Still maybe it is a sign that the legal system is catching up.

Posted By David Balkwell I think you are missing the point Renny (and Crim) I think the consolidation of a maze of legislation is great If you are familiar with the consultations on RRO you will also be aware of the presence of insurance companies during the RRO implementation process and of course their aim to reduce risk (and payout naturally)- Where has the corporate manslaughter liability now been shifted to ? Approaching 50% of all fires reported each year are in domestic residences where on average 1000 per year are lost mainly children why was residential not included in the reform ? (the largest payouts are commercial ) The Fire Service do a great job and having been in the construction industry for the last 30yrs 25 of which as different forms of Regulator there should be adequate provision made for Fire Officer resource to increase inspection not reduce, they have specialist knowledge, most owner occupiers don't - and the gov don't appear to helping in my view Regards David

Posted By paul dryden Crim, Consultants may have been a little difficult to prosecute under previous fire safety legislation, but they are definitely in the frame under the fire safety order. All that needs to be proved is that the advice was very poor and that it led directly to serious risk. That is why the public/professional liability insurance is so expensive.