What are Fire Risk Assessments?

This is the overall process of identifying fire hazards and evaluating the risk to safety arising from them, taking account of existing risk controls or, in the case of a new activity, the proposed risk control.

Why?

The Fire Safety Order 2005 requires the ‘responsible person’ to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk that the relevant persons are exposed to. This is commonly referred to as a fire risk assessment

What should a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment include?

The assessment needs to ensure that your premises general fire precautions comply with the requirements of the Fire Safety Order 2005 and identify the following:

1. The preventative and protective measures in place to control fire related risks.
   

2. An effective statement of hazards and risk.
   

3. Measures for controlling fuel and ignition sources, including arson.
   

4. Action to be taken to reduce the fire risk and time frames for implementation of control measures.
   

5. Details of the maximum occupancy of the premises.
   

6. Reference as to when the fire risk assessment is to be reviewed.
   

If you employ five or more people the fire risk assessment must be documented. However it is recommended that all assessments are documented. If undocumented, you may find it hard to demonstrate that you have complied with your legal duties.

Who Can undertake a fire risk assessment?

The fire risk assessment must be undertaken by a “competent person”.

This depends on the size of the premises, it’s use and the number of staff. If you would like assistance, RST employees are competent to carry out a fire risk assessment and can provide you with recommendations and an action plan on any work necessary to ensure your premises meet a satisfactory standard of fire safety.

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