A fire risk assessment is the first step in the fire safety plan. Let’s go over why users need one for their business, what they involve and who can help them get it sorted.
Birmingham is a dense urban environment, with buildings that range from historical houses to modern high-rises, and as a city it poses unique challenges when it comes to fire safety.
That means that when choosing a contractor to carry out the fire risk assessment, one should look for one with experience in the area, who is capable of identifying potential fire hazards in various different settings and creating bespoke safety solutions to match.
Fire Risk Assessment
A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement and it’s the first consideration when it comes to setting up fire safety systems for the business.
Midland Fire highly recommend choosing a BAFE-accredited fire safety contractor to make sure one is dealing with someone who’s specialized and well versed in UK fire safety regulations. They’ll send out a trained engineer who will thoroughly inspect the business premises to identify potential hazards and the people or staff that are most at risk.
Then they’ll determine which fire safety measures and management policies are needed to reduce the risk of those hazards causing any harm or damage.
What to Expect
So what will happen during the business’s FRA? Here’s a step by step outline of what to expect if users choose Midland Fire:
- Free consultation: They will discuss the business type, the size and layouts of the buildings and any specific concerns users may have.
- On-site assessment: Midland’s experienced engineers will inspect the business premises to identify all potential fire hazards and the people most at risk. They’ll review escape routes and any existing emergency lighting, alarms and extinguishers.
- Detailed report: Users will receive documentation outlining the findings and an action plan of which fire safety measures and management policies are needed.
- Follow-up work: Midland’s team is on hand to answer questions and implement any of the suggested recommendations.
What Happens Next
The results of the FRA will lay out and prioritize the systems and policies needed to set up or improve fire safety at the business and ensure that users are following the correct UK regulations. The results may include:
- Fire alarm system Birmingham installation or improvements.
- Installing fire extinguishers in particular places.
- Emergency lighting systems to help people escape in an emergency.
- Correct signage to ensure people know where the nearest exits are.
- Clear evacuation plans with regular drills.
- Fire safety training.
The Business Benefits of Fire Risk Assessments
The benefits of a fire risk assessment go beyond just ticking a box. By carrying out a fire risk assessment users are:
- Protecting their property and keeping the staff safe.
- Adhering to the UK fire safety regulations.
- Reducing the risk of insurance disputes in the event of a fire.
- Preventing avoidable fines.
- Minimizing the disruption of unnecessary business downtime.
- Giving the business the love it deserves.
Keeping the Business In Line with UK Regulations
Fire safety in the UK is governed by The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and fire alarms should be installed and maintained according to the BS 5839 standards.
The guidelines around fire risk assessments are as follows:
- A fire risk assessment is a legal obligation for all non-domestic premises.
- The fire risk assessment should be carried out annually, or if there are any substantial changes to the building, assets or staffing in the meantime.
- Users must appoint a “Responsible Person” who makes sure that assessments are carried out and kept up to date.
- If users have five or more employees, a record must be kept of the FRA and any significant findings.
- If users don’t stick to these guidelines, they could face hefty fines, prosecution and even insurance disputes in the event of a fire – so now’s the time to act.
Why Choose Midland Fire
Midland Fire is a BAFE-accredited fire safety specialist, providing free consultations and expert fire risk assessments in Birmingham. Users can trust them because their team has a deep knowledge of local building types and the common causes of fires in Birmingham that businesses are affected by, as well as good relationships with local suppliers and fire authorities.