Introduction to Fire Safety Management

15.27.7 Training
All employees must be given adequate training, including 
‘action to be taken’, when they commence employment 
and receive refresher training as appropriate. Further 
training would be required if there were any change that 
may affect fi re safety, e.g. change of work, new systems 
or alteration to the building.
The training should be provided during normal 
working hours. [4.(1)(f)(i), 15(2)(a), 21(1) and (2) and 
Schedule 1 Part 3(h)]. The employer must carry out 
regular fi re drills as part of the training [15(1)(a) and (b)].
15.27.8 Article 13/15 – Competent persons
A responsible person must appoint one or more compe-
tent persons to:
➤
Carry out fi re fi ghting duties [13(3)(b)]
➤
Make contact with emergency services [13(3)(c)]
➤
Assist in evacuations [15(1)(b)].

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Summary of key legal requirements
391
A competent person can only be regarded as competent 
if they have appropriate training, experience, knowledge 
or other qualities [13(4) and 15(3)].
15.27.9 Articles 40–41 – Employee rights and 
responsibilities
Employees also have rights and responsibilities under 
the RRFSO broadly similar to those found in current 
health and safety legislation. The responsible person 
must consult employees on fi re safety matters and pro-
vide information to them and ensure that they have been 
suitably trained to fulfi l their role.
An employee must not act in a way that endangers 
themselves or others, they must also bring to the 
attention of the employer any shortcomings in the fi re 
prevention and protection arrangements and cooperate 
with the employer. The responsible person cannot charge 
an employee for providing any fi re safety measures that 
may be required under the RRFSO. An employee is 
entitled to recover his losses via civil proceedings if the 
responsible person fails to comply with the RRFSO.
Responsible persons must ensure that any person 
they employ (directly or indirectly) is provided with all 
information related to fi re safety [19 and 20]. Employers 
must consult with employees with regard to fi re safety 
issues [41(1) and (2)].
Employees cannot be charged for anything provided 
for, e.g. training or safety equipment [40]. However, if an 
employee suffers loss or damage as result of a responsi-
ble person failing to comply with the RRFSO the employee 
can recover their losses from the employer [39(2)].
Employees must take reasonable care of themselves 
and others and cooperate with their employer. They 
must also report any serious dangers and shortcomings 
in the fi re safety arrangements [23(1)(a–c)].