A fire risk assessment is a process whereby the risks of fire are identified, evaluated and controlled. It is a legal requirement for all commercial premises in the UK and should be regularly reviewed. The purpose of this document is to outline our approach to conducting a fire safety risk assessment and to provide guidance on how to control the risks of a local fire in your Bedford workplace.
The Legal Framework
The Regulatory Reform
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the Order) came into effect on 1st October 2006 and applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales. The Order consolidates previous fire safety legislation and introduces a number of significant changes, including the requirement for all businesses to carry out a fire risk assessment.
Identifying the right person or third-party
The Order requires that a fire risk assessment must be carried out by a “competent responsible person”, who is defined as someone who has the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to carry out the assessment.
In most cases, the assessment will be conducted by someone within the organisation, such as a health and safety executive, manager or supervisor. However, if the assessor does not have the necessary expertise, then they should seek advice from a company that can carry this out for you on your behalf.
The Risk Assessment Process
Identify, Evaluate and Control
A fire risk assessment is a systematic process for identifying, evaluating and controlling the risks of fire in the workplace. It should identify what could cause a fire to start, how it could spread and what could happen if one did occur. It should also identify any vulnerable people who may be at risk and any measures that need to be put in place to protect them.
Regularly updated
The assessment should be conducted on a regular basis and should be updated whenever there are changes to the premises or the way they are used. It should also be reviewed if there is a significant change in the fire hazards or risks, such as the introduction of new equipment or materials.
When conducting a fire risk assessment, the assessor should consider the following:
- The type of premises and their use.
- The size and layout of the premises.
- The number of people who work in or visit the premises.
- The hours of operation.
- The activities carried out on the premises.
- The materials and dangerous substances used on the premises.
- The fire safety equipment and systems are in place.
- The evacuation procedures
Considerations
Once the assessor has identified the potential fire hazards, they should then evaluate the risks and decide what needs to be done to control them. This will involve considering how likely it is that a fire could start, how quickly it could spread and what the consequences could be.
The assessor should also consider any vulnerable people who may be at risk from a fire, and any measures that need to be put in place to protect them. This may include installing smoke detectors or automatic fire sprinklers, providing training for general fire precautions and fire safety, or making sure that exit routes are kept clear.
The assessment should be written down and should include a list of the hazards, the risks and the control measures. It should also identify who is responsible for each of the control measures.
The findings of the assessment should be shared with all employees and any other relevant people, such as contractors or visitors.
Changing your workplace to reduce fire risks
Once the fire risk assessment has been carried out, you may need to make some changes to your workplace to reduce the risks of fire. This could involve making changes to the way work is carried out, changing the materials or substances used, or installing new fire safety equipment.
You may also need to provide training for employees on fire safety and make sure that they know what to do in the event of a fire. If you have any questions about fire safety or your obligations under the Fire Safety Order, you can contact Fire Response UK.
Fire Response UK is a leading provider of fire safety services in the United Kingdom. We can provide you with the advice and support you need to ensure that your workplace is safe from fire. We can also carry out a fire risk assessment for you, and provide training on fire safety. Contact us today to find out more about our services.
People Also Ask
What is the legal requirement for fire risk assessments?
Every business or other non-domestic building in England and Wales must have a fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The goal of the evaluation is to determine fire dangers and ensure that adequate precautions are in place to manage them.
What are the 5 main components of a fire risk assessment?
- Identify potential fire hazards.
- Establish a list of individuals who might be in danger.
- Examine, eliminate, or minimize the hazards.
- Make a recording of your discoveries, create an emergency plan, and provide training for your staff.
- Maintain an up-to-date fire risk assessment on a regular basis
How much does a risk assessment cost?
Although the cost of a DIY risk assessment varies from person to person or company to company, it is generally very low. Other than their time, the individual or company may incur no other expenses. Using a third party, on the other hand, may result in hourly charges ranging from £120 to £330 per company, depending on its needs.
How many steps are in a fire risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment typically involves five steps:
- Identify potential fire hazards.
- Estimate the risks associated with those hazards.
- Evaluate the risks and decide what needs to be done to control them.
- Share the findings of the assessment with employees and other relevant people.
- Make changes to the workplace to reduce the risks of fire