Carrying out a fire risk assessment

Carrying out a fire risk assessment on a regular basis is obligatory in all workplace environments, commercial premises and other places that members of the public have access to. Moreover, failure to comply with the regulations can carry serious penalties, including imprisonment in certain circumstances. If your company employs more than five staff members then the assessment must be recorded in writing and retained in a safe place.

Ideally, your company should nominate one responsible person to be a fire warden and it is then their responsibility to carry out the assessments. The fire warden can be anyone, provided that they are responsible and fully competent in their knowledge of all the relevant fire safety regulations and requirements.  The responsible person must focus primarily on the safety of all relevant individuals and must pay particular attention to those at an increased risk; such as any person with limited mobility. If it is necessary to have more than one person as fire warden (to cover absences, etc.) they must be capable of communicating and co-operating with each other efficiently. If necessary a professional can be employed to complete the task on your behalf.

What is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire risk assessment is a meticulous investigation of your work premises, carried out in order to ascertain all possible fire risks.

Key Elements of an assessment:

• Inspecting the premises to enable identification of potential fire risks and hazards.
• The assessment should be fully examined in order to determine the risk levels and ascertain any ways in which the risks can be reduced as much as possible.
• Employees and other relevant persons must be made aware of all risks identified by the assessment and any other necessary precautionary information.
• Employees must be made aware of any measures taken in order to prevent such risks and how these measures will protect them in the event of a fire.
• A number of employees should be nominated and then trained to carry out particular roles,with regard to your fire safety measures.
• If you employ any children you must provide their parents with clear information on any fire risks identified in the assessment and the measures implemented.
• Any temporary site workers or visitors must be made aware of the relevant risks and the fire safety procedures required.
• The presence of any dangerous substances and their inherent risks must be highlighted.
• All methods for contacting emergency services must be established and clearly documented.
• Appropriate information and training should be provided to employees the moment they commence working for your company and then on a regular and continuing basis afterwards.
• All fire-fighting equipment and detectors should be properly and periodically maintained by a competent and professional person.
• All emergency escape routes and doors should be clearly marked as such and maintained on a regular basis.

It is well worth considering sending your key fire warden personnel on a training course designed specifically to enable them to become expert fire risk assessors.  They will become proficient in

• Understanding how fire spreads.
• Identifying any potential firerisks or sources.
• Carrying out fire risk reviews.

Ensuring that your business premises and employees are safe in all circumstances is a key element of maintaining a professional and efficient organisation as well as a mandatory requirement under law and also carries with it the added benefit of having peace of mind with regard to fire safety and compliance.