Why do I need a Fire Risk Assessment?
Having a fire risk assessment is a legal obligation for any persons responsible for a building. The building owner, occupier or managing agent for the building must ensure they have a fire risk assessment in place. You may choose to carry out the assessment yourself, the Government provide guidance documents for various building types to help you. Alternatively, you may choose to instruct someone who is competent in your organisation to carry out the assessment on your behalf or instruct a consultant to carry out your fire risk assessment. If you choose to instruct a consultant we would recommend you take some time to read A Guide to Choosing a Competent Fire Risk Assessor.
The fire risk assessment must identify the hazards, the people at risk and evaluate to remove or reduce the risks. The findings must be recorded, include an emergency plan and provide training. The fire risk assessment must be kept up to date through periodic reviews.
If I carry out a Fire Risk Assessment, will I be fully compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005?
The fire risk assessment is the starting point and the very foundation for fire safety in your building. The report will have an action plan, those actions are to reduce the likelihood of a fire starting in your building and the risk to life of the occupants in the building. Any actions recorded will have a suggested timeframe and should be completed as soon as possible to improve the fire safety in the building. A site inspection from the local Fire and Rescue Service will usually start with them requesting a copy of your assessment and they would like to see you have acknowledged the findings of that report by taking the appropriate action.
How often do Fire Risk Assessments need to be reviewed?
The fire risk assessment report should indicate the next review date, this usually ranges from 1 to 3 years depending on the findings, building use and occupancy. The review must take place sooner though if the building has any changes to the layout, use, staff, management or ownership.
Do I need a fire logbook?
Should you have a site inspection from the local Fire and Rescue Service under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 a fire logbook may help you evidence you are working towards compliance. The fire logbook usually would include records for carrying out routine testing, maintenance, fire drills, training and in house inspections. There is no set way to keep these records, you may choose to buy a printed logbook or create your own record sheets in print or electronic format. Should you require any assistance please contact us.
What fire training is suitable for my staff?
All staff require fire safety training. It is essential that they know what to do in the event of a fire. This information should be provided at the time of their induction. You can then check all staff respond as per your fire emergency action procedure by carrying out fire drills on a regular basis. Drills should take place every twelve months, preferably six. If the building is occupied through shift patterns then a drill must take place for each shift. Any individuals given additional duties as indicated in your fire risk assessment and fire emergency action procedure must receive additional training which usually incorporates the role of a Fire Warden and use of fire extinguishers. Any training provided must be recorded to say who received it and when. Should you require any assistance please contact us.
How often do I need a refresher training course?
The fire risk assessment should state the frequency of refresher training. The assessment will take into account the building use, turnover of staff and other factors to advise further on this matter. However, as a guide, refresher training will usually range between one and three years.
How often do I need to test my alarms?
You should be testing your fire alarm every week. We recommend you test the fire alarm on the same day and around the same time each week. We advocate the slogan “Test it Tuesday”, however please feel free to pick any day of the week.
Why do fire doors need to be inspected?
Fire doors are an essential part of fire safety. If a fire starts a good fire door is able to restrict the movement and growth of smoke and fire into other areas of the building. This may allow occupants to escape more easily and reduce the damage and impact to the building. It is therefore essential you inspect these fire doors to ensure they are in good condition in order to give them the best opportunity to work if required.
How often do fire doors need to be inspected?
In accordance with BS 9999 fire door inspections should take place every six months. The fire risk assessment may state a different frequency based on the findings and taking into account the building occupancy, layout and use.
What does fire safety management entail?
Fire safety management is a system with procedures to help work towards legal compliance and reducing the risk to life of occupants in the building. The end result evidences a current fire risk assessment, along with up to date records for training, drills, testing and maintenance.
Do I need a fire evacuation plan?
Yes, it is vital that the building occupants know what to do in the event of a fire emergency. If you require specific persons to assist then a fire emergency plan will help you and evidence your intentions should the worst case fire scenario occur. Should you require any assistance with your fire emergency evacuation plan please contact us.
What qualifications does your Fire Risk Assessor have?
There is no single qualification that determines a fire risk assessor is competent. The blend of qualifications with ongoing continuing professional development and experience will help determine if a fire risk assessor is competent. Competence of fire risk assessors can be assured by either certification of the individual fire risk assessor or through a company providing fire risk assessments under a third-party certification scheme accredited by the UK. If you choose to instruct a consultant we would recommend you take some time to read A Guide to Choosing a Competent Fire Risk Assessor.
