HC Deb 21 January 1988 vol 125 cc782-3W
27. Mr. Madel

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the workings of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 as it relates to the workplace; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Patten

Designation orders made under the Fire Precautions Act 1971 provide for general fire safety in places of work. Factories, offices, shops and railway premises, where more than 20 persons are employed to work at any one time or more than 10 persons are so employed elsewhere than on the ground floor, are required to have a fire certificate. This requires the provision of adequate means of escape and means for fighting fire and training for employees in action to be taken in the event of fire.

In premises which do not require a fire certificate the occupier must provide such means of escape in case of fire for the persons employed to work there as may reasonably be required and appropriate means for fighting fire.