Fire Risk Assessment

A fire risk assessment if a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO)

There are three main reasons for assessing and managing fire risks. These are to:

• Prevent harm to people
• Comply with the law
• Minimise the cost of fire at the workplace

The RRFSO requires a ‘responsible person’ to undertake a fire risk assessment and implement the findings of that assessment.

Compliance with the RRFSO is enforced by the fire and rescue authorities in most instances, but the HSE, local authorities and other enforcement agencies all enforce depending on the nature of the workplace.

The five steps to follow for carrying out a successful fire risk assessment are:

1. Identify the fire hazards – e.g. sources of fuel, ignition & oxygen
2. Identify the people who might be at risk – e.g. lone workers, the young, the elderly, the disabled etc
3. Evaluate, identify and implement the fire precautions that are required – e.g. fire prevention, fire detection, means of escape, signs & notices, lighting etc.
4. Record findings, plan and train
5. Review and revise the risk assessment as necessary

A fire risk assessment will be one of the most important assessments that you undertake for your business, so its vitally important to not only take your time with it, but to also take it very seriously and to seek competent advice and help if you need it.

If you require assistance with your fire risk assessment then please get in touch with us here at SECC, as we will be able to assist or draft your risk assessment for you.

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