WHO DOES IT APPLY TO?

Previously the local fire brigade used to issue fire certificates for certain work environments. The responsibility has now been placed on the company to carry out a fire risk assessment on all of the premises under their control.

WHY DO WE ASSESS?

The shortage of correct extinguishers, blocked safety exits, dangerous escape routes - or no escape routes - and similar other shortfalls  can be a serious risk to the safety of your staff and your facilities. Do you have disabled persons working for you have they clear escape routes or marked refuge points? Do your staff know where to go if there is a fire, or how to respond if they find one? Does your receptionist take the visitor book, and staff log with them when they leave the premises so that a full role call can be made? All of these points need to be addressed. Locked fire doors leading to fatalities are regularly reported in the press,  an assessment can find out if you have unnecessary risks that could lead to avoidable injuries or deaths.

WHAT SHOULD BE ASSESSED?

Every building needs to be assessed whether occupied or not as well as other features that could cause a fire risk such as tanks of flammable substances. Do they meet current legal requirements, guidance and technical knowledge as to fire exits, fire exit routes, storage of flammable liquids, fire doors, refuges, assembly points, evacuation procedures, fire detectors, fire fighting equipment, emergency lighting and other relevant issues. Other aspects to assess: Arson risks, environmental impact assessment, compartmentalisation of building, fire marshal training etc.

PREPARING FOR AN ASSESSMENT

Ideally a current floor plan of the facilities to scale should be available or a usable sketch, these should be marked with fire exits, alarm points, extinguisher locations etc. An estimate of staff and visitor numbers in each area needs to be made.

CARRYING OUT ASSESSMENTS

Assessments can be carried out by your own competent person or by an external consultant, the types and locations of extinguishers is recorded. The location of fire exits, their signage, sizes etc. is all noted. Distances to a place or refuge or out of the building/area are measured or calculated. Escape routes are identified, alarms and emergency lighting positions are also noted. Finally flammable materials and sources of ignition are documented for every room or area.

From the materials and ignition sources in areas a fire risk value is determined for every area, escape routes are investigated to ensure routes go to areas of less risk not higher risk areas. Distances between staff and safety (a refuge or outside the area of risk) are analysed taking into account any disabilities to staff in these areas, pregnancies, numbers etc. These results are then examined along with all other information to make recommendations to decrease the risk of injuries to your staff/visitors/public form injury should a fire occur.

USING THE RESULTS

The assessment will include any necessary recommendations, these can range from adding a fire extinguisher or improving signage to the need to add fire exit points, it may also indicate that additional training is required,  once all these recommendations are cleared your facility should be a safer place to work

For more information on Fire Risk  Assessment