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A fire risk assessment is a necessary step that helps identify potential fire hazards in a building. It provides recommendations on how to reduce these risks to keep everyone safe from fire.
In the UK, the law requires that a fire risk assessment is carried out in nearly all workplaces and some residential buildings, especially in common areas of apartment blocks. This includes checking things like external walls and fire doors, as well as escape routes.
It’s the job of the designated ‘Responsible Person’ in England and Wales, or the ‘Duty Holder’ in Scotland, to make sure the assessment is done properly and by someone who is qualified to do it.
As of October 1, 2023, new rules under the Building Safety Act 2022 state that every fire risk assessment must be written down, no matter how many people work there or if the place has a specific license.
Regularly doing a thorough fire risk assessment lets the building’s owner or manager understand what fire risks are present and what actions they need to take to address them.
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
According to Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, it’s legally required that the fire risk assessment be regularly updated by the Responsible Person or landlord safety experts. This is especially important if:
(a) there’s a concern that the assessment isn’t accurate anymore; or
(b) if there have been major changes related to the building or how it’s used. This could include big renovations, changes in how spaces are used, or shifts in the type of activities or the people using the building.
Any significant changes to the premises, whether they seem to increase the fire risk or not, mean that the fire risk assessment needs to be revisited and possibly redone to ensure it’s still valid.
What is included in a fire risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment is a detailed examination of a property to understand its fire risks, and it must be done by someone who knows what they’re doing. The goal is to spot any weak spots in the building’s fire safety strategies that might not be obvious and to offer suggestions to make the building and its occupants safer from fire. This includes ensuring that there are proper fire safety measures and equipment in place, such as an effective way to get out in an emergency, clear escape routes, proper separation between areas to prevent fire spread, working fire alarms, emergency lighting, and firefighting tools like fire extinguishers.
The assessment usually follows a five-step process:
- Identify the fire hazards.
- Figure out who could be at risk.
- Evaluate the risks and find ways to remove or reduce them.
- Write down the findings, make an emergency plan, and organize training.
- Regularly review and update the fire risk assessment to keep it current.
How to get your Fire Risk Assessment Done?
If you need a fire risk assessment, you can simply hire a fire risk assessment consultant who is experienced in your specific industry. They will work with your responsible persons to conduct the assessment and then provide a detailed report. This report will include a record of significant findings, a clear and concise fire safety plan with recommended actions, and a comprehensive fire risk assessment of the building.
The Landlord Safety Certificate’s team of expert fire risk assessors is equipped to handle assessments in various types of premises, such as retail centers, individual shops, healthcare facilities, industrial and factory buildings, historic buildings, commercial properties, hotels, schools, and apartment blocks, among others.
To get started with an initial report or to have your existing fire risk assessment reviewed by the LSC team, you can simply book an appointment or call 020 8146 8677. You can also learn more about their fire risk assessment services by reaching out to us directly.