The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 mandates that a fire risk assessment remain current and be revised following significant workplace changes. While legal specifics on the frequency of assessments aren't detailed, guidance exists. As the New Year ushers in a fresh start, it's an opportune moment for businesses to evaluate their existing fire safety strategies, particularly during typically quiet periods in January, before usual work commitments resume.
New Year's Business Modifications
The beginning of the year is often a period of transformation for many businesses, with changes ranging from office redesigns to new equipment acquisitions and staffing additions—all of which can necessitate an update to the current fire risk assessment. The government advises that any substantial changes since the last evaluation require a reassessment. These alterations could include new work processes like equipment updates, building modifications, introduction of hazardous substances, or a notable increase in occupants.
Streamlining Assessments with Fire Risk Management Software
Fire risk assessments may seem overwhelming, leading many businesses to delay them. However, fire risk management software can simplify the process significantly. Designed by Total Fire Group, the software called Aurora streamlines fire risk assessments, ensuring efficiency and ease. Its advantages include minimizing paperwork, efficient distribution of fire risk assessment tasks, facilitating real-time updates, simplifying reporting, and centralizing all necessary information in one place.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that a fire risk assessment is kept up to date and redone if there are any kind of significant changes within the workplace. So while there is no law that specifies exactly how often a building must have a fire risk assessment, there is guidance outlined.
The New Year is a great time to review the existing fire safety. The new year signals a new start, and if the business is usually a little slow throughout January, it’s the ideal time to dedicate some resources to fire risk assessments, before people get busy with work once again.
New Year's business changes
Additionally, the New Year is a common time for business owners to implement changes, whether that’s a new office design, incorporating new pieces of equipment, or even bringing in new staff – all things that can void the existing fire risk assessment.
The government states that a site must be reviewed, if there have been substantial changes since the previous assessment was carried out.
Reasons for review can include, but are not limited to:
- Changes to work processes, e.g, the introduction of new equipment
- Alterations to the building
- The introduction of hazardous substances
- A significant increase in the number of people present
Fire risk management software
Fire risk assessments can seem quite a daunting task for businesses, which is why many put them off. But there is a way to make the process that much easier.
Fire risk management software has the ability to make the fire risk assessment process as efficient and seamless as possible. And Total Fire Group designed the software, Aurora, to do just that.
Some of the benefits of the fire risk assessment software include:
- It allows users to cut down on paperwork
- Efficient allocation of FRA actions
- Make real-time updates
- Reporting is made easy
- Residents have everything in one place
