You can read Suffolk County Council's statement on our website.
![Councillor Peter Gould](/image-library/peter-gould-ws-hr-1.xb6cb8b20.jpg?width=470&height=256&fit=crop&quality=75&format=webp)
You can read Suffolk County Council's statement on our website.
Choose from the sections.
The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005 is the fire safety legislation that applies to all farm buildings where people work, including packing sheds, milking parlours, barns, holiday lets and farmhouses used for providing bed and breakfast.
If you are a business owner, you are required to carry out a risk assessment. If you employ 5 or more people you are required by law to record the significant findings.
There are five steps to completing a fire safety risk assessment:
Farms can be vulnerable to arson due to their remote location, open boundaries and readily ignitable sources, such as hay and straw. Though it is not always possible to stop fires occurring, the risk can be reduced by practising good housekeeping and close management of security and practices around the farm.
Did you know that every year in the UK 1,700 farm buildings and 66,000 acres of grassland are destroyed by fire. Half of these fires are started deliberately.
Planning is key. Prepare a fire routine and action plan to ensure all farm workers know what to do in the event of a fire.
For help on plans contact fire.businesssupport@suffolk.gov.uk.
When planning your storage of hay & straw, consider the following:
Small fires can rapidly develop into wildfires devastating the countryside and property, particularly during dry hot weather.
If you own or manage an area with public access, there are some steps you can take to help prevent deliberate fires from affecting you:
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has a Business Continuity plan for Avian Flu.
Should a case of Avian Flu be declared in Suffolk, SFRS will treat all agricultural premises as potentially being effected, to discharge its duty of care, to avoid further spread of the disease.
Should you require the fire service during this time, we may:
You can assist with areas clearly designated for disinfection control.
How to contact Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service with any questions about rural fire safety.