Objective thinking

摘要

2004 Promises to be a watershed for fire in the UK, with the new Fire and Rescue Services Bill ― expected to be enacted later this year - almost certainly leading to the withdrawal of national standards of fire cover, to be replaced by local response arrangements set out in fire authorities' integrated risk management plans (IRMPs). The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order will usher in a new regime based on the risk assessment principles of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 (as amended). And the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has now started a full review of the fire aspects of the Building Regulations, which could see an even greater acceptance of fire safety engineering by local authority building control. These Government-led initiatives will inevitably mean a greater focus is put on life safety. As a result, insurers' requirements for the protection of buildings will become even more important in the future.