The guidance was scrutinised at length by the HSE, HMFSI, CFOA, 4 x Fire Safety Officers, CBI, FBU, British Retail Association and ODPM, it went through several consultations, although admittedly not full public ones, and was the lesser of all evils. Without major stakeholders signing up to it there would have been no guidance!
The definition of significant findings within the guidance has a caveat that indicates the definitions are for the layman. You can pick fault with most of the definitions from a legal/ADB point of view but that isn't the point.
When will professionals understand that the ordinary bloke in the street, not us, will be responsible for carrying out a fire risk assessment. There is absolutely no point producing a document that requires a 'degree in nebosh' to understand it.
Political expediency may not be pretty but it is a reality.