The most commonly used codes are: NFPA 1. Fire Code: Provides requirements to establish a reasonable level of fire safety, and property protection in new and existing buildings. NFPA 54. National Fuel Gas Code: The safety benchmark for fuel gas installations. NFPA 70. National Electric Code: The world's most widely used and accepted code for electrical installations. NFPA 101. Life Safety Code: Establishes minimum requirements for new and existing buildings, to protect building occupants from fire, smoke, and toxic fumes. The role of enforcement agencies Law enforcement agencies may be defined as: “ A body sanctioned by local, state, or national government to enforce laws and apprehend those who break them ”. The best example on a global basis is perhaps the police, whose role is to prevent crime and apprehend those who break the law. In terms of fire safety, the purpose is very much the same – to prevent breaches of fire legislation and to act on those who break fire laws. Again, enforcement varies around the world with a mixture of national, federal, and state enforcement being applied. In the UK, a national approach is used with local fire authorities enforcing fire legislation in their areas of responsibility. The powers granted to inspectors in England and Wales, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO), include: (a) to enter any premises which they have reason to believe is necessary for them to enter for the purpose mentioned above, and to inspect the whole or part of the premises and anything in them, where such entry and inspection may be effected without the use of force. (b) to make such inquiry as may be necessary for any of the following purposes— (i) to ascertain, regarding any premises, whether the provisions of this Order or any regulations made under it apply or have been complied with. (ii) to identify the responsible person in relation to the premises. (c) to require the production of, or where the information is recorded in computerised form, the furnishing of extracts from any records (including plans)— (i) which are required to be kept by virtue of any provision of this order or regulations made under it. (ii)which it is necessary for them to see for the purposes of an examination or inspection under this article, and to inspect and take copies of, or of any entry in, the records. (d) to require any person having responsibilities in relation to any premises (whether or not the responsible person) to give them such facilities and assistance with respect to any matters or things to which the responsibilities of that
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