Fire law promises better safety

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Legislation has come into force in Scotland which should improve fire safety across the country.

The law will require people in charge of non-domestic premises to take steps to "prevent and minimise" the risk of a blaze occurring.

Property owners, employers, staff and managers will all be liable under Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act.

Buildings such as care homes, offices and shops will be affected by the change which came into force on Sunday.

Scottish Executive figures revealed that in 2004-5, there were 70 fire injuries in buildings other than "dwellings", and seven people killed in non-domestic blazes.

No-one can afford to be complacent about fire safety because complacency kills Hugh HenryDeputy Justice Minister In January 2004, 14 people were killed in a blaze at Rosepark Care Home in Uddingston, near Glasgow. These deaths were calculated in the 2003-4 statistics.

Fire certificates which have already been issued will be abolished under the new legislation, making existing certificates invalid.

Instead, the new system will be based on risk assessment with the emphasis on preventing fire.

More than 162,000 booklets relating to the change in law have been issued across Scotland.

Reduce deaths

Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry welcomed the changes.

He said: "We are determined to reduce the number of people killed as a result of fire in Scotland - deaths which all too often could have been prevented.

"Replacing Scotland's outdated fire legislation with new laws which focus on fire prevention and safety from harm caused by fire is central to that.

"No-one can afford to be complacent about fire safety because complacency kills.

"Help us and the fire and rescue service ensure that non-domestic premises are as safe as they can be and reduce the number of lives tragically lost to fire in Scotland each year."