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Following the Wealmoor Atherstone fire, packaging companies should consider a number of fire-prevention laws and measures.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which came into effect in October 2006, replaced more than 70 pieces of fire safety law.

The order covers all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, and applies to you if you are:
• responsible for business premises
• an employer or self-employed with business premises
• responsible for a part of a dwelling where that part is solely used for business purposes
• a contractor with a degree of control over any premises

Under the order, the responsible person must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain a fire management plan.

Click here for guidance on fire safety for factories and warehouses or click here to download a risk assessment PDF.

In addition to the laws, the Fire Protection Agency (FPA) offers a number of tips for businesses:
• all fire protection equipment (smoke alarms, extinguishers, sprinkler systems etc) should be in place and be fully operational
• a good housekeeping policy should be followed. For example, make sure that waste materials are disposed of regularly
• smoking areas should be identified and all smoking materials properly extinguished
• all staff/occupants should be reminded of the procedures in the event of a fire
• fire safety checks should be carried out last thing at night

Click here for more from the FPA.