How to conduct a fire risk assessment?
Fire Risk Assessments are required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The person responsible for these duties is known as the ‘responsible person’ and they are normally either the building owner, occupier or the employer. It is vital that the responsible person ensures that the users of a building are safe from the risk of fire whilst on the premises.
This involves ensuring that there is suitable fire detection which is regularly tested and well maintained; that fire escape routes are clear and fit for purpose; that building users have received fire awareness training and ultimately that there is an up to date Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) for the premises.
What is a Fire Risk Assessment?
Quite simply, it is a recorded document that assesses the potential hazards and risks of a fire occurring in a building or premises.
Can I do my own Fire Risk Assessment?
Yes, anyone can do their own fire risk assessment if they are competent to do so. You do not have to have a professional fire engineer or safety expert to carry out the fire risk assessment. However, many people choose to hire the services of a qualified and experienced Fire Engineer. JCH Safety LTD only use Fire Risk Assessors who are recognised members of the Institution of Fire Engineers. This way a vast experience and understanding of fire behaviour can be drawn upon when assessing a building’s fire safety. If you decide to tackle your own fire risk assessment, there is a host of information available from the HSE that will assist you. If you are not confident that you understand what is involved, please feel free to contact us.
JCH Safety LTD only use Fire Risk Assessors who are recognised members of the Institution of Fire Engineers. This way a vast experience and understanding of fire behaviour can be drawn upon when assessing a building’s fire safety. If you decide to tackle your own fire risk assessment, there is a host of information available from the HSE that will assist you. If you are not confident that you understand what is involved, please feel free to contact us at JCH Safety Ltd and we will be only too pleased to assist you with your needs.
How do I do a fire risk assessment?
If you decide to carry out your own fire risk assessment, make sure that you are familiar with the content of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) order 2005 and do some research online. Visit the HSE website. Get yourself an A4 notebook and conduct an inspection of the premises. Walk it through and identify a list of potential sources of fire such as electric heaters, cigarette ends and welding equipment. Investigate potential sources of fuel, things which burn, such as timber, paper, furniture and chemicals. Look into the fire escape routes, check out the fire detection systems, investigate the safety checks, log books and talk to the people who use the building. Armed with a good understanding of the building, who uses it, the risks of fire and the methods that exist to keep people safe you can draw up a fire risk assessment.
There are five key steps to completing a Fire Safety Risk Assessment:
- Identify fire hazards
- Identify people at risk
- Evaluate and act
- Record plan and train
- review
We hope that this information will help you to better understand Fire Risk Assessments. 
If you require further assistance, or you would like JCH Safety to carry out your assessment please contact us on 024 7771 7503. The costs of this service depend on the size of your premises and the activities that your organisation are involved in. We are always very competitive on price and guarantee our clients value for money.
We also provide a range of fire safety training including mandatory Fire Awareness Training and Fire Warden Training. Please contact us to find out more.
