Fire Risk Assessments are a legal requirement in the United Kingdom for all non-domestic properties, as part of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Safety and health pros everywhere benefit from conducting fire risk assessments, though.
They involve identifying all the fire risks present within your environment, as well as people who may be particularly at risk, and then implementing measures which remove or reduce these risks as far as possible. You must also comprehensively plan what you would do in the event of a fire, informing and training staff as necessary.
Although relatively straight-forward in principal, actually conducting a fire risk assessment can be a complex and exhaustive process. Additionally, with some properties unaware if they require a risk assessment and, if they do, what they entail, it is vital to make this information as clear and accessible as possible…
Who needs a fire risk assessment?
Fire risk assessments in the UK must be performed in all buildings, with the exception of private, residential properties. This means that if you own or manage any of the following, you have a legal responsibility to comprehensively and competently carry out regular risk assessments:
- Licensed premises – pubs, hotels, restaurants
- Retail environments – shops, supermarkets, petrol stations
- Places of education – schools, universities, colleges
- Public-access environments – hospitals, libraries, museums
- Places of entertainment – theatres, swimming pools, leisure centres
- Houses used for multiple occupancy and the common parts of apartment buildings
Why do you need a fire risk assessment?
In order to comply with the UK’s fire safety legislation, fire risk assessments must be conducted. They are developed to aid risk reduction and, as such, fire prevention, and help you conform to legal obligations regarding fire safety.
They are primarily designed to identify fire risks within your environment and then eliminate or reduce these risks as far as possible. They also highlight areas of particular concern and, following the risk assessment, you should undertake any remedial action necessary – such as the installation of fire safety equipment (fire alarms, fire extinguishers), PAT testing and staff fire safety training.
How do you conduct a risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment consists of five steps: identifying fire hazards, identifying people at risk, evaluating, removing and reducing these risks, recording your findings and planning emergency procedures and, finally, regularly reviewing and updating the assessment.
In the UK, as the “responsible person” within your environment, you can conduct the fire risk assessment yourself. However, if you don’t have the time or expertise, you can appoint a “competent person” to undertake it on your behalf – such as a professional risk assessor or fire safety expert.
This will relieve you of the burden, meaning you are free to get on with the running of your business, and you will also feel assured that each step will be completed to the exacting standards of the UK’s Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.
For more information on fire safety, contact the professionals at Elite Fire Protection.
Address:Rivington House, Hackney, London,EC2A 3JL
Phone Number: 020 3124 1632
