General

Health and safety

Occupiers (whether employers or self-employed people) must ensure that any gas appliance, installation pipework or flue installed in their workplace is maintained in a safe condition. If any part of the property is occupied for residential purposes, the duties of a residential landlord for gas safety (including the annual safety check) will apply.

The landlord or managing agent may also have duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, such as ensuring that heating equipment in common parts is maintained safely. The lease can be used to determine how these responsibilities are allocated.

Anyone who has control of premises, or some control over part of the premises, is responsible for fire safety and must:

1. •

   carry out (and keep up to date) a fire risk assessment, considering the possible risks to all people who could be affected

2. •

   take steps to prevent fires — eg ensuring electrical equipment is maintained

3. •

   provide fire precautions to safeguard people using the workplace — eg escape routes to a place of safety, fire-resistant doors and walls, fire alarms and fire-fighting equipment