Fire Safety Law and Guidance - Northern Ireland

BAFE is a national fire safety register but recognise there is varying legislation between the United Kingdom’s four constituent countries.

Fire Safety in Northern Ireland

The Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, are the pieces of fire safety legislation Northern Ireland must follow (plus any associated legislation/regulations).

The Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisi/2006/1254/contents (external link)

The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2010/325/contents/made (external link)

The Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, sets out the important duties the ‘appropriate person’ (e.g. employer/premises manager) must fulfil and continue to maintain.

These include:

• Carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment of the workplace, “for the purpose of identifying any risks to the safety of his [her or their] employees in respect of harm caused by fire in the workplace.” - The Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, Part III, Chapter I, Duties, Article 25
• Where appropriate, equipping the building with fire fighting equipment (e.g. fire extinguishers and/or fire suppression and extinguishing systems) and fire detectors and fire alarms. - The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, Part 3, Regulation 12
• Providing clear emergency exit routes and where required, any illuminated emergency signage must be “of adequate intensity in the case of failure of their normal lighting.” - The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, Part 3, Regulation 13
• Ensuring any provisions or systems in place “are subject to a suitable system of maintenance and are maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.” - The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010, Part 3, Regulation 16

All requirements can be found by reviewing the legislation in full.

Every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up to date.

No legal responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions.