Fire Risk Assessment

• REGULATORY REFORM FIRE SAFETY ORDER - The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order came into effect during October 2006. Although this legislation is enforced by the local fire authority, it was introduced to shift the emphasis of ensuring people and property are safe from fire, from the local fire authority to the 'responsible person'. Under 'The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005' and 'The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005', anyone who has control of premises or who has a degree of control over certain areas or systems, may be designated a 'responsible person' (eg. an owner, an occupier, an employer, a managing agent, or any other person who has some control over all or part of relevant premises). The 'responsible person' is required to instruct a competent body to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment which identifies the risks and hazards, create a Fire Log Book, report on who is considered to be especially at risk, put in place plans and actions to eliminate or reduce the risk from fire as far as is reasonably practical, and provide general fire precautions to deal with any residual risk. Take additional measures to ensure fire safety where flammable or explosive materials are used or stored, create a detailed plan to deal with any emergency and, in most cases, document the findings, review the findings and update the Fire Log Book. The legislation applies to virtually all premises and covers nearly every type of building, structure and open space, for example: Offices and shops, Premises that provide care, Pubs, clubs and restaurants, Hotels and hostels, Factories and warehouses. Although organisations are not specifically required to produce a fire safety policy, it is considered to be good practice. A fire safety policy should clearly identify the approach to Fire Safety within a property, including for example, providing commitment to train staff and maintenance of fire fighting equipment.
• WHAT IS A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT? - A Fire Risk Assessment is a system which identifies all fire related hazards within the premises and is designed to analyse how those hazards may adversely affect the building and its occupants. It should identify the level of risk that those hazards may present and identify suitable control measures for any significant findings. As part of the assessment, an action plan should be formulated with reasonable timescales assigned for the implementation of any necessary remedial action.
• DO I NEED A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT FOR MY BUILDING? - If you are the responsible person, then you must arrange for a competent person to carry out a fire risk assessment on your behalf. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that all buildings (other than single domestic dwellings) should have an assessment carried out and all significant findings should be recorded. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 replaced all existing fire safety legislation and even if you have a Fire Certificate that was previously issued for the building you will still need to ensure an assessment is carried out. In many cases the Fire Certificate can act as a basis for this assessment.
• WHO SHOULD CARRY OUT THE ASSESSMENT? - Somebody with an appropriate level of knowledge and experience regarding the legislation, fire safety standards to be applied and the principles of risk assessment should undertake the assessment. This person must be able to make appropriate judgements regarding fire risk and recommend suitable measures to eliminate or manage these risks. This person is known as the 'Competent Person' and in most cases this will be a fire safety professional which in some cases may be available 'in-house'.
• WHAT SHOULD THE ASSESSMENT COVER? - The fire risk assessment should identify any and all threats to the safety of the building and its occupants from fire. In practical terms this would include assessment of the following areas:
  
  1. Building Description
  2. Hazard Identification
  3. People at Risk
  4. Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
  5. Fire Fighting Provision
  6. Means of Escape
  7. Fire Safety Signage
  8. Emergency Lighting
  9. Fire Emergency Plan
  10. Training
  11. Testing and Maintenance of Fire Safety Systems
  12. Record Keeping Arrangements
• WHAT HAPPENS ONCE THE ASSESSMENT IS COMPLETE? - Once the assessment is complete any significant findings must be recorded in writing and all persons who may be affected by the assessment should be informed accordingly. Additionally, an action plan should be formulated with regard to the implementation of any necessary remedial action. The action plan should specify exactly what is to be achieved in what timescale and by whom. The action plan should be kept updated and should provide a full audit trail facility for management and Enforcing Authorities.
• WHEN SHOULD THE ASSESSMENT BE REVIEWED? - The assessment should be reviewed at periodic intervals of no longer than 12 months, immediately after any fire related incident or near miss and whenever it is considered to be no longer valid due to any significant change to the occupancy or layout of the building.
• WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DON'T CARRY OUT AN ASSESSMENT? - The main risk with not carrying out a fire assessment is that you will be unaware of any fire related hazards that could affect the safety of the occupants of the building and any potential threat to the continued operation of your business. This could result in deaths, serious injuries, and/or significant financial loss. In addition it is a legal requirement to carry out and manage the fire assessment and failure could lead to enforcement action being taken against the 'Responsible Person'.

© Copyright MJ Fire Safety 2011 | Website Design by White Hat