Conducting regular fire risk assessments are important for keeping the employees and property safe. Carrying out an assessment helps them identify fire risks in the business and let’s they put actions in place to help mitigate those risks.
Fire risk assessments are also a legal requirement, and they must check the fire safety protocols regularly to stay compliant with the law. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order states that most premises should undertake regular fire risk assessments and failing to do so could see the business facing fines and legal proceedings.
Why is a fire risk assessment important?
Fire risk assessments are the best way for business owners to find out how compliant their current business
Fire risk assessments are the best way for business owners to find out how compliant their current business is. They provide clear guidance and instructions on how to improve a company’s fire safety management, and if done thoroughly by professionals, a fire risk assessment can give a business owner a step-by-step guide to improving their fire safety.
Since fire risk assessments are done relatively infrequently, around once a year, it’s rare that a business owner will be given such a clear picture of how fire safe their business is. That’s why when the business is due to have a fire risk assessment, it’s important that it’s done thoroughly and by professionals.
The more they know about the company’s fire safety situation, the more actions they can take to improve it. In the long run, this helps them and their business as they can be proactive in the fire risk management, and in turn it could save you time, effort, and money.
Who should do a fire risk assessment?
Any business that has 5 or more employees is legally required to conduct fire risk assessments and keep a written record of them. If the company employs less than 5 people it’s not a legal requirement to keep a written record, although most fire risk assessors, including Total Fire Group, would strongly advise them to do so.
The responsible person of a premises or business should take responsibility for arranging the completion of a fire risk assessment.
Who can conduct a fire risk assessment?
An experienced fire risk assessor has a deep understanding of how people behave in fires
Technically, anyone who is “competent” can conduct a fire risk assessment. But it is highly recommended that someone with relevant experience, training and skill carries out the assessment for them.
A fire risk assessment is more than just a checklist and a box-ticking exercise. It is more than just walking around an office and making sure the fire extinguishers work. An experienced fire risk assessor has a deep understanding of how people behave in fires, and this lets them spot issues and problems that inexperienced assessors could miss.
It is therefore best to use a BAFE-certified company in order to complete the fire risk assessments to the highest standard possible. Don’t forget, the fire risk assessments are legal documents that could be relied on in court if an incident occurs. It is wise to have these managed and signed off by professionals to reduce any risk to themselves.
How long does a fire risk assessment last?
Documented fire risk checks help them and their trained employees maintain awareness of the premises
Depending on the size and complexity of the site being assessed, the length of time needed to carry out an assessment can vary. Once the assessment is completed, it’s advisable to review the assessment regularly to check that them are still compliant with the actions it suggests.
An annual review will suffice, but they should consider conducting another assessment if any changes have taken place within the building or workplace.
Documented fire risk assessments help them and their trained employees maintain awareness of the premises' potential fire risks, and they allow them to become proactive in fixing issues before they develop into situations that could be a drain on the business.
Does the business need a fire risk assessment?
If they are in need of a fire risk assessment or fire safety consultancy, Total Fire Group is here to assist them. They’re a BAFE-certified fire safety consultancy with over 15 years of experience helping companies manage their fire safety.
