A fire risk assessment is a process of identifying fire hazards and identifying people at risk which involves evaluating what the risks are and either reducing them to an acceptable level or removing them completely.

The findings are to be recorded and an emergency plan should be drawn up including any training of staff. If you employ less than 5 people there is no need to record your findings, however it is deemed best practice to have your records and findings in writing.

The fire risk assessment should be reviewed on a regular basis, as there are no specific rules of how regular this should be done,  the following could help decide:

• If there are changes to the construction of the building

• If you start to employ a lot more people

• If your business activity changes

• If there has been a fire.

Taken all this into account it is good practise to review annually to ensure that it is up to date and suitable for purpose.

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Is it a requirement by law?

Under the Regulatory Reform (fire safety) Order 2005 you must carry out a fire risk assessment of a non-domestic premises. If you employ 5 or more employees or are a licenced premises you must have the fire risk assessment in writing.

 

Fire risk assessments can have serious consequences if done to a poor standards .

A recent prosecution of a fire risk assessment done incorrectly

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What is involved?

A fire risk assessment involves a physical inspection of the building to determine whether the existing fire precautions are sufficient and if there is a need for any additional measures.

A review of fire safety management in the organisation and how people will respond to an emergency and whether they will take appropriate action.

A document will be provided once a fire risk assessment has been carried out by ourselves with an action list on what needs addressing with a time line for each risk identified.

 

The fire risk assessment will cover the following areas:

• Fire loss experience.

• Fire hazards.

• Fire prevention.

• Storage and handling of flammable liquids and gases.

• Housekeeping.

• Means of escape.

• Compartmentation.

• Flammability of linings.

• Emergency escape lighting.

• Fire safety signs and notices.

• Fire detection and fire alarm systems.

• Fire extinguishing systems and appliances.

• Smoke control systems.

• Facilities for use by the fire and rescue service.

• Arrangements for management of fire safety.

• Fire procedures.

• Training and drills.

• Testing and maintenance.

• Records.

 

Please contact us if you want a fire risk assessment carried out by one of our certified assessors.