Why do I need to have a Fire Risk Assessment?

Who is Responsible?

In England and Wales, if you’re an employer, owner, landlord or occupier of business or other non- domestic premises, you’re responsible for fire safety and are known as the ‘responsible person’.

As the responsible person, there are certain things you must do by law under the Fire Safety Order, which is enforced by your local Fire and Rescue authority.

What is classed as non-domestic premises?

All workplaces and commercial premises
All premises the public have access to
The common parts of multi- occupied residential buildings

What is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?

The Fire Safety order gives responsibility to those who are best placed to address fire safety in their building to ensure that risks – which necessarily change over time – are kept under review. Under the Fire Safety Order a responsible person (as stated above) must carry out a fire risk assessment. Responsible persons under the Fire Safety Order are required, following a risk assessment, to implement appropriate fire safety measures to minimise the risk to life from fire: and to keep the assessment up to date.

The ‘Responsible Person’ must:
Carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment of the premises
Tell staff/ representatives about the risks that have been identified
Put in place, maintain, adequate and appropriate fire safety measures to remove or reduce the risk to life
Plan for an emergency
Provide staff information, fire safety instruction and training

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What does a fire risk assessment involve?

Firstly, we will inspect the premises, looking at all parts of the relevant buildings on all floors. We will check items such as fire detections systems, electrical systems, cooking appliances, boilers, also the means of escape including stairs, outside paths, possible assembly points, exit doors, signage and emergency lighting. We then move onto portable firefighting equipment; numbers, their positions and type. We will also check on the evacuation process, any progressive evacuation system employed staff awareness of fire and records of the above.

Having gathered all the necessary information we will provide you with a bound report and a working copy that is fully compliant with Home Office Guidance and contains all the information required by Fire Services and other Enforcement Officers.

The Legislation covered is:-

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The Management of Health & Safety at Work Act 1992
The Health and Safety (Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Act 2003
BS5839 -1:2002 Fire Detection and Alarm systems
BS5266- 1:2005 Escape Lighting

How often should a fire risk assessment be carried out?

The Fire Safety Order does not define how often the fire risk assessment and fire safety management plan should be reviewed. Risk assessments should be an active process which takes into account the fact that risks change over time. It is good practice and advised that fire risk assessments should be reviewed at least once a year, and whenever there have been structural or material changes to the building.

Penalties and Enforcements:

As the ‘responsible person’ you could get fined/ or go to prison if you do not follow fire safety regulations.