06 August 2004
The proposed fire safety regime that would scrap automatic inspections could leave premises exposed to a greater fire risk, MPs have warned.
The government wants to replace the practice of fire authorities inspecting premises before issuing a fire safety certificate with a system of 'self-compliance', where fire authorities develop their own enforcement programmes.
But the Commons' regulatory reform committee criticised the proposals, saying they lacked any 'real legislative force' and called for more direction from Whitehall.
'On the evidence before us, we are not yet convinced that the integrated risk management regime, which is still in its infancy, will adequately maintain the necessary levels of protection and the enforcement of safety measures,' the MPs said.
Their August 2 report recommends that the secretary of state be required to issue fire authorities with guidance and monitor their enforcement activities. This would also help shore up public confidence in the fire safety regime, something which is likely to be dented by the removal of certification, it says.
Fire safety minister Phil Hope told the committee that the government intended to publish a national framework for fire service activity, which would clarify lines of responsibility.
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