Fire Risk Assessments

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Who must carry out a fire risk assessment ?

Under British Law, all employers have a duty to undertake risk assessments. If they carry them out and comply with the conclusions and recommendations contained within those assessments, employers will have the assurance that they have done everything reasonably practicable to ensure the health and safety of their employees and other persons affected by their activities.

Among these risk assessments to be done are those dealing with the consequences of fire. Fire Risk Assessments are specifically required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. (FSO).

The FSO applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including the common areas of blocks of flats and of houses in multiple occupation.

The FSO applies to you if you are:

• An employer or self-employed with business premises
• The person responsible for a business premises
• A person responsible for a part of a dwelling, which part is used solely for business
• A contractor with some control over a premises
• A charity or voluntary organisation
• Providing accommodation for paying guests

If you are the Responsible Person, you must carry out a fire risk assessment, then implement and maintain a fire management plan.

What is in a fire risk assessment?

Typically, the factors to be considered in a fire risk assessment will include:

Detecting a fire	Raising the alarm
Means of escape	Fire-fighting equipment
Signs and Notices	Normal and emergency lighting
Ignition Risks	Structural features
Documentation	Training

Having collected all the information required, shortcomings in the management of fire will have been highlighted. The next stage is to produce a Prioritised Action Plan to deal with those shortcomings.

At Fox~Robinson, we prioritise required actions as follows:-

Priority 1

Immediate Action required to eliminate or reduce serious threats to Fire Safety. Failure to act on this category may contravene statutory requirements and could lead to the issue of notices of legal proceedings by the Enforcing Authority (Action – Immediate)

Priority 2

Planned Action required to eliminate or reduce lesser but real threats to Fire Safety. Contravention may lead to the issue of Notices, legal proceedings or a letter by the Enforcing Authority (Action – as soon as is reasonably possible)

Priority 3

Action desirable to demonstrate that precautions or techniques are consistent with good Fire Safety controls and practice. Serious harm unlikely (Action should be taken at the next available opportunity)