New Funding Will Help Businesses To Carry Out Fire Risk Assessments

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has been awarded a grant from the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund. This is a new funding pot encouraging the creation of a UK regulatory environment that supports innovation and growth.

Teaming up with the National Fire Chiefs Council, the University of Northampton, and Eyecademy Ltd, the West Sussex-led project will deliver a new web-based fire risk assessment tool. The interactive tool will improve users' understanding of fire safety.

fire risk assessment tool

Using the grant fund of £195,840, West Sussex will work with partners to create an interactive tool alongside new guidance and tips for businesses that will be hosted by the National Fire Chiefs Council and made freely accessible for all.

The fire risk assessment tool will help businesses better understand their legal obligations under the Fire Safety Order and how to comply with them. The NFCC said that it wanted to encourage a cultural shift in the way that businesses seek and are provided with fire safety advice.

Regulator’s Pioneer Fund

Regulators and local authorities apply for grants of up to £200,000, with projects anticipated by March 

Regulators and local authorities could apply for grants of up to £200,000, with projects expected to deliver by end of March 2022. The fund, administered by the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, received 41 applications, with 21 projects awarded a total of £3.7 million.

Mark Andrews is the Deputy Chief Fire Officer of West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, and is the NFCC’s Business Safety lead. 

On securing the funding, Mark Andrews said: “I am delighted that the Regulator’s Pioneer Fund have recognized in awarding this grant just what a real difference this new virtual training tool will make to both businesses and residents across the country."

He adds, “This is a fantastic joint project that will draw on expertise across the sector to create something that is not just free and easy to use, but informative and helps businesses to understand their legal obligations and how to comply with them, while reducing the risk of suffering a significant impact from fire. Using new technology, we intend to encourage a cultural shift in the way that businesses seek, and are provided with, fire safety advice.”

Cutting edge of innovation

Business Minister Lord Callanan said: “Good regulation should spur entrepreneurship, not stand in its way, and this project will help keep the UK at the cutting edge of innovation."

He adds, "The business safety training tool could pave the way for exciting developments in the sector, bringing benefits to British businesses and consumers alike.”