1st Fire Safety Ltd

What is a fire risk assessment?

A fire risk assessment is a process of identifying fire hazards and identifying people at risk which involves evaluating what the risks and either reducing 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 fire risk assessments can save lives and so it is good practise to do this.

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 as regular as possible.

Is it a requirement by law?

Absolutely, Under the Regulatory Reform (fire safety) Order 2005 you must carry out a fire risk assessment of a non-domestic premises.

Can I do one myself?

Yes, if you think you are competent enough to do one however most businesses now seem to want to employ a company like ourselves who only do fire risk assessments as they want to make sure they get it done right as there can be serious consequences for poor standards.

A recent prosecution of a fire risk assessment done incorrectly

What skills do I need to do one?

The person carrying out the fire risk assessment should be competent to do so.

A competent person could be a person with sufficient training and experience, knowledge or other qualities, to enable him or her to carry out a fire risk assessment correctly.

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 or if you would like some advice.