Fire Risk Assessment

Fire Risk Assessment is the foundation for all fire precautions in your premises.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RR[FS]O) came into force in October 2006. The main objective of this new legislation is to reduce avoidable fires and consequently minimise instances of personal injury, loss of property and loss of business. This is achieved by creating a climate of fire prevention based on minimising risk. The RR(FS)O requires all non-domestic premises to have a current Fire Risk Assessment.

Enforcement officers will check that building owners and employers are compliant and will expect the Fire Risk Assessment to be the pivotal operational document from which building fire safety precautions and practices are managed. Therefore the Responsible Person must ensure compliance with the RR(FS)O.

In most cases the Local Fire and Rescue service are the enforcing authority.

They can:

• Serve an Alteration Notice: where it is thought there is serious risk to persons.
• Serve an Enforcement Notice: where the Responsible Person has failed to comply with the RR(FS)O.
• Serve a Prohibition Notice: when the risk associated with the premises is of such magnitude that the use of the premises should be restricted or prohibited.

Compliance

The RR(FS)O states that to be compliant, a company is obliged to appoint a competent person to carry out the Fire Risk Assessment. The definition of a competent person is “a person with enough training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to enable them properly to assist in undertaking the preventative and protective measures”.

Compliance with the RR(FS)O rests with the Responsible Person. In a workplace, this is the employer or any other person who may have control of any part of the premises, e.g. the occupier or owner. In all other premises, the person or people in control of the premises will be responsible. If there is more than one responsible person in any type of premises (e.g. a multi-occupied complex), all must take reasonable steps to cooperate and coordinate with each other.

What should a Fire Risk Assessment cover?

• Appraisal of site conditions.
• Identification of hazards.
• Sources of ignition.
• Identify persons at risk.
• Means of raising alarm.
• Evacuation procedures.
• Evacuation routes.
• Staff training needs.
• Corrective actions plan.
• Ongoing fire safety schedule.

Peace of Mind

Risk Assessment will identify a clear action plan for improving building fire safety and will form the basis of the daily management requirements and responsibilities.

The SafeCare Fire Risk Assessment comprises a detailed appraisal of site conditions, with recommendations on procedures required in the event of a fire. These might include fire warning systems, evacuation procedures and evacuation routes. It also highlights staff training requirements and outlines a schedule of preventative measures to be followed on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

A SafeCare Fire Risk Assessment provides a framework to achieve compliance. The risk assessment is the beginning of the process that will need to be underpinned by management controls and an ongoing programme to ensure that your property, facilities and employees are effectively protected.

Our SafeCare Total Fire Safety Solutions can be tailored to meet your needs.