A fire risk assessment is a legal document designed to improve fire safety within a premises or business. It is not a certificate of conformity to declare a building safe, but a working document detailing what is currently being done to reduce the risk from fire as well as provide further recommendations for improvement purposes.

The fundamental principles of a fire risk assessment are to:

・Identify potential fire hazards (potential ignition sources & fuel sources)

・Identify people at risk

・Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks

・Record your findings, prepare an emergency plan and provide training

・Review and update the fire risk assessment regularly

What the assessment considers:

・Emergency routes and exits

・Fire detection and warning systems

・Fire fighting equipment

・The removal or safe storage of dangerous substances

・An emergency fire evacuation plan

・The needs of vulnerable people, for example the elderly, young children or those with disabilities

・Providing information to employees and other people on the premises

・ Staff fire safety training

It is a legal requirement for all non-domestic properties to have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Non-domestic buildings are effectively all buildings that are not individual dwellings, these can include but are not limited to:

• All workplaces and commercial premises

• All premises with public access

• The common areas of multi-occupied residential buildings

Responsible persons can be fined or even prosecuted for not producing a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. Minor penalties range up to £5,000 while major penalties have unlimited fines and up to 2 years imprisonment.

Failure to provide evidence of a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment can hold up property sales and can lead to mortgage offers expiring and sales falling through.

・Employers

・Owner

・Landlord

・Occupier

・Any other person with control over a premises e.g managing agent, building manager, charity organiser, voluntary group leader etc…

These are known as ‘Responsible Persons”. In some cases, there may be more than one for a single premises in which case they must work together to uphold their responsibilities.

・Carry out a fire risk assessment of the premises and review it regularly

・Tell staff or their representatives about the risks you’ve identified

・Put in place, and maintain, appropriate fire safety measures

・Plan for an emergency

・Provide staff information, fire safety instruction and training

The level of detail in the risk assessment should be proportionate to the risk and appropriate to the nature of the building and its occupants.

The person carrying out the risk assessment should be competent in doing so and this can be demonstrated by a combination of applicable training, skills and experience. These persons are known as “Competent Persons” and are employed by the Responsible Person to assist them in meeting their responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Fire risk assessments are important life safety documents that should not be rushed. The time period to undertake the inspection, assess the information and create a conclusive report with an appropriate action plan depends on the size and complexity of the premises.

Small basic premises can be assessed and written up within a couple of days while larger more complex sites can take multiple days just to assess. The assessor should always be able to provide you with a rough timescale prior to undertaking the assessment presuming they receive accurate information on the development.

We do offer a next day risk assessment service for urgent cases but again it is dependent on the location, size and complexity of the development. Enquire with us now for more information regarding our turnaround times and fees.