A guide to Fire Risk Assessments

No one ever expects a fire to happen in their business, but the truth is that fires can and do occur in businesses of all types and sizes. In fact, according to analysis carried out by the Fire Protection Association there were 4,782 major UK fires between January 2009 and December 2019 where the financial loss was £100,000 or more with a mean average loss of £657,074 per incident.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 covers general fire safety in England and Wales and in the majority of premises, local fire and rescue authorities are responsible for enforcing fire safety legislation with the HSE having enforcement responsibility on construction sites and on ships under construction or undergoing repair.

As outlined in the fire safety guidance provided by the HSE having a fire risk assessment in place is a legal requirement for employers and/or building owners or occupiers. It is also a critical part of planning and protecting your business from fire to help reduce the risk of fire. This assessment will identify potential fire hazards in your workplace and recommend steps you can take to minimize those hazards.

In this article, we'll discuss what fire risk assessments are, why they're important for businesses, and how to go about conducting one.

What is a fire risk assessment?

In its simplest form a fire risk assessment is an organized evaluation of a workplace to identify fire hazards and determine the steps that need to be taken to minimize those hazards. This helps protect employees, customers, visitors, property and and your business assets.

It be in a format that is easy to understand and follow and it should include a summary of the findings, as well as specific recommendations for mitigating fire hazards.

Why are fire risk assessments important?

Fire risk assessments are important because they can help to prevent fires from happening in the first place. By identifying potential fire hazards and taking steps to mitigate those hazards, businesses can significantly reduce their fire risks.

In addition, fire risk assessments can also help businesses to develop fire safety plans so that everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire.

Should the assessment be conducted by a trained fire safety professional?

Ideally yes, fire risk assessments should be conducted by a trained fire safety professional however business owners can carry out their own assessments using interactive online fire risk assessment tools now available such as ClickFRA.

In the UK the Fire Protection Association also offers a range of fire risk assessment guides and services and many local fire safety consultants offer their professional services directly to businesses.

It is very important to note that simply completing a fire risk assessment as a formality is not enough! You also need to ensure that the output from your fire risk assessment is actionable and that you follow through on implementing any changes that are recommended.

What should be included in a fire risk assessment?

A fire risk assessment should identify all potential fire hazards in the workplace and recommend steps that can be taken to mitigate those hazards. Here are some of the most common fire hazards that should be considered:

Once potential fire hazards have been identified, the fire risk assessment should recommend steps that can be taken to mitigate those hazards. These may include changes to work practices, procedures, and/or the physical environment.

How often does a fire risk assessment need to be carried out?

It's important to remember that a fire risk assessment is not a one-time event - it should be revisited on a regular basis, typically every 12 to 18 months. However, the assessment should be conducted more often if there is a change in the workplace or if other fire hazards are identified or if new safety measures are put into place.

It is a good idea to provide updated copies to employees so that they are aware of the fire hazards in the workplace and what steps have been taken to mitigate those hazards. Employees should also be familiar with fire safety plans so that they know what to do in the event of a fire.

How to conduct a fire risk assessment

There are six steps involved in conducting a fire risk assessment:

Identify fire hazards
Identify people at risk
Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks
Record your findings and implement them
Review and update the assessment regularly
Train employees on fire safety procedures

Let's take a closer look at each of these steps:

1. Identify fire hazards

The first step in conducting a fire risk assessment is to identify fire hazards in the workplace. This can be done by walking through the workplace and looking for anything that could potentially catch fire.

Some common fire hazards include:

Electrical hazards: faulty or overloaded electrical sockets, wiring, and equipment.
Chemical hazards: flammable or combustible liquids and gases.
Physical hazards: cluttered work areas, blocked fire exits, and storage of flammable materials.
Human factors: smoking, poor housekeeping, and employee fatigue.

2. Identify people at risk

The next step is to identify people who could be at risk in the event of a fire. This includes employees, customers, visitors, and anyone else who could be present in the workplace.

3. Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks

Once the fire hazards and people at risk have been identified, it's time to evaluate the risks and determine what can be done to remove or reduce them. This may involve making changes to the workplace, such as removing fire hazards or installing fire safety equipment.

For example, electrical hazards may be mitigated by ensuring that all electrical sockets and wiring are up to code and that only certified electrical equipment is used.

Chemical hazards may be mitigated by ensuring that flammable liquids and gases are properly stored and labelled.

Physical hazards may be mitigated by ensuring that fire exits are clear and that storage areas are organized and free of clutter.

Human factors such as smoking, poor housekeeping, and employee fatigue can be addressed through training and awareness programs.

4. Record your findings and implement them

Once the fire risk assessment is complete, it's important to record your findings and implement them. This includes creating a fire safety plan and making sure all employees are trained on fire safety procedures.

5. Review and update the assessment regularly

Fire risk assessments should be conducted on a regular basis and updated as needed to ensure that they reflect any changes in the workplace.

6. Train employees on fire safety procedures

All employees should be trained on fire safety procedures, such as how to use fire extinguishers and evacuate the building in the event of a fire.

Conclusion

Fire risk assessments are critical in ensuring both the prevention of fire and the safety or both people and property. By following the above steps, you can conduct a fire risk assessment and help protect your business from fire. And if you're not sure how to conduct a fire risk assessment consult a professional as there are plenty of resources available to help you.

Fire is deadly so don't wait until it's too late - whatever your business or sector make sure you have a fire risk assessment conducted today!

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Guidance, Fire SafetyOllie Mightysites24 November 2022