A worrying number of building owners do not understand fire safety legislation, according to a survey by the organisers of Firex South, 2008, a two-day conference which takes place on Tuesday, 11 March and Wednesday, 12 March at Sandown Exhibition Centre, Esher.

Seventy-eight per cent of people answered “I’m unsure” when asked “How aware are you of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO) and its implications?” on the Firex South website. These shocking results come just a few months after the devastating fires at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay and the Manor Hotel, Blackpool.

The RRO was introduced in October 2006, and places the responsibility for fire safety and risk assessment on the building owner or manager. The fire service no longer issues fire certificates - instead it is up to owners and managers to judge the risks, or get a consultant to do it for them, and take action. But many hoteliers are not qualified to carry out or commission such an assessment.

Commenting on the importance of compliance with the RRO, Lancashire's Chief Fire Officer, Peter Holland, states, "The average cost of a fire in commercial property is £44,000, with fires costing the national economy £7.03 billion every year. The RRO has placed the responsibility for fire risk assessments with business owners. "

"Commercial financial losses apart, if people are not aware of their responsibilities and in the worst case someone dies, they face the full weight of the law. We want to apply a light touch and educate rather than prosecute defaulters, but with such terrible consequences in prospect, when it comes to raising awareness of the legislation we have no hesitation in promoting high-profile prosecutions as a wake-up call for businesses out there."

For the first time, Firex South 2008 will feature a high level conference focusing on the implications of the RRO taking the form of four three-hour modules, each focused on a different area of fire safety.

Module A will look at compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO). AXA Insurance and Browne Jacobson Solicitors will explain the consequences of non-compliance, which can include possible imprisonment, increased insurance premiums and loss of life, and advice on how to accurately complete risk assessment forms.

Module B will cover emergency evacuation and will include a presentation about the evacuation of disabled people, with advice on complying with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) from the Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) the Building Research Establishment (BRE).

Module C focuses on sprinkler management and includes a presentation from Steven Mills, Station Officer at West Midlands Fire & Rescue Service. Steven will be looking at warehouse sprinkler installation, in light of the recent Atherstone Warehouse tragedy.

Module D is the “Installers Market Master Class” specifically concentrated on new developments within the installers market. Topics of interest will include the RRO, BS 5839 Part 1 and special considerations for voice alarm systems.

The conference is priced at £195 per module BHA Members have been given a special delegate rate of 20% off the standard conference price. To receive this special offer please quote the following reference code when booking your place: BHAFX08 Please visit www.firexroadshows.co.uk for more information.

Entry to the show is free and visitors can register online at www.firexroadshows.co.uk, where the latest event information, news and conference programme are available. Companies interested in participating at this year’s event should contact Peter Poole on +44 (0) 207 921 8342 or email [email protected]

The BHA’s Food and Technical Affairs Advisor, John Dyson will be exhibiting at the conference showcasing the BHA’s fire safety ‘my compliance’ tool kit, which was developed to provide guidance to hospitality businesses on how to comply with standards set out in the 2005 Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. For more information on the tool kit please visit: www.bhacompliance.org.uk/FireSafety.aspx

Exclusive Offer: BHA members receive 20 per cent off their Firex South Conference booking fee - please mention "BHAFX08" when booking