What is a Fire Risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment is an organised and methodical look at your premises, the activities carried on there and the likelihood that a fire could start and cause harm to those in and around the premises
The aims of the Fire Risk Assessment are:
To identify the fire hazardto reduce the risk to those hazards causing harm to as low as reasonably practicableTo decide what physical fire precautions and management arrangements are necessary
Is a Fire risk assessment required by law?
Yes. There are few exceptions
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order a fire risk assessment is necessary in virtually all builings, other than domestic dwellings (note common areas still come under the fire safety order and therefore require a fire risk assessment).
I've heard that if I employee less than 5 people I don't need to do a fire risk assessment?
That's incorrect.
You are still required to carry out a fire risk assessment. It's just that it doesn't have to be written down. We would always recommend writing it down so that you can prove that it has been carried out.
Can I carry out a fire risk assessment myself?
Yes, if you consider you have the competence to do so.
We are normally employed either when a client does not have the necessary competence or when they do not have the time or resources to carry out the risk assessment themselves.
Who enforces the fire safety order?
The Fire Authority. They must be satisfied with your fire safety measures, if not, they will tell you what you need to do. If they find major problems they can restrict the use of your premises or close them altogether until you deal with the problems they find. They can also take you to court and you could be fined or imprisoned if it is viewed that seriously.
Who is responsible for the fire risk assessment?
The legally defined Responsible Person under the regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) order 2005, who must arrange for a fire risk assessment to be carried out, identify possible fire risks and deal with them.
Who is the responsible person?
The responsible person will be someone who has control over the premises. This could be:
The owner or occupier of a premises.The owner or a managing agent for shared parts of a premises such as shared means of escape, or shared fire safety equipment such as fire warning systems.The occupier, such as self-employed people or voluntary organisations if they have any control.Any other person who has some control over a part of the premises
Has the Responsible person got to carry out the fire risk assessment?
No.
The Responsible Person can designate this duty, but the person designated must be a 'Competent Person'. However the Responsible Person will still be responsible, in law, for meeting the order.
Hopefully this has answered a few of your questions feel free to contact us if you have any more questions.
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