A fire breaking out in the place of work or home can be one of the most devastating events imaginable. Getting a fire risk assessment could mean the difference for their employees and business.
A fire risk assessment is a snapshot of the premises in terms of compliance with current fire safety legislation and the risk to life safety. It is an organised and methodical examination of a defined premises which takes into account the activities carried on, or planned to be carried out on site and the premises’ existing fire safety control measures. This gives an idea to establish the potential sources of fire and the likelihood that a fire could start and cause damage and harm.
What does it involve?
Assessor will visit the workplace and conduct a non-destructive and non-invasive survey of the beliefs
It’s simple; the assessor will visit the workplace and conduct a non-destructive and non-invasive survey of the premises followed by a further condition survey or structural survey where issues have been identified.
The assessor would look at aspects such as fire hazards, fire prevention, means of escape, emergency escapes, safety signage, fire detection and alarm systems.
Why is it important?
A risk assessment could protect them legally, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, requires a fire risk assessment in virtually all buildings in England and Wales, other than domestic dwellings. But more importantly, a fire risk assessment can better help to protect their business and employees, it could prevent the loss of lives. Risk assessments are relevant for businesses including (but not limited to) event venues, rental properties, offices, factories, and summerhouses.
Nowadays, buildings are safer and fire-related deaths are less likely, in face they are half as common as they were 10 years ago. According to the Home Office, in 2016/17 there were 261 fire-related fatalities and 7,081 non-fatal casualties in fires. For every million people in England, there were 4.7 fire-related fatalities in 2016/17. Getting a fire risk assessment completed for every workplace would help achieve the goal to get these statistics closer to zero.
