19/11/2008 - Fire safety advice for small firms
Small business owners within the hospitality industry are being given advice on how to comply with fire safety rules in a new Government-produced booklet.
The guide - 'Do you have paying guests?' - was launched by fire minister Sadiq Khan and offers practical advice, including a five-step action plan for reducing fire risks in small establishments.
Owners and managers of small hospitality businesses are required to carry out a fire risk assessment under regulations introduced in 2006.
The new booklet, compiled with help from the B&B Association, VisitBritain, Farmstay, the Regional Tourist Boards and the Chief Fire Officers Association, aims to address any problems faced by smaller businesses under the new rules.
Mr Khan said: "It's plain common sense that every business should have an adequate level of fire safety, especially where people who may not be familiar with their surroundings are sleeping.
"But we recognise concerns raised by this sector of the hospitality industry that small B&Bs and others are finding it harder than big hotels to know what to do, and what may represent an adequate level of fire safety.
"That's why we've worked closely with the sector and the Chief Fire Officers Association to develop straightforward and practical information for owners on how to protect themselves, their guests and their business."
Copyright © Press Association 2008
Related links
|
