Posted January 29, 2024

The Five Key Steps Of Fire Risk Assessment

Fire safety in your business premises – Under the current Fire Safety Legislation, as the Responsible Person within your business, it is imperative to conduct a thorough and appropriate Fire Risk Assessment. This assessment aims to evaluate the risk of fire to your employees and others associated with your business and its operations. If you find your premises too intricate to draft an assessment independently, you can seek professional input from SS Systems as a commercial expert in fire safety related matters.

Written fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements are covered by the Building Safety Act 2022: Section 156. The prior stipulation for a written fire risk assessment applied only in specific scenarios, such as when the responsible person employed five or more individuals. This criteria is no longer applicable, and as a responsible person, it is now mandatory to document both the fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements in their entirety, irrespective of the business or premises size or purpose..

Written fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements are covered by the Building Safety Act 2022: Section 156. The prior stipulation for a written fire risk assessment applied only in specific scenarios, such as when the responsible person employed five or more individuals. This criteria is no longer applicable, and as a responsible person, it is now mandatory to document both the fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangements in their entirety, irrespective of the business or premises size or purpose.

To gauge the risk level of your premises, calculating maximum occupancy levels may be necessary. This involves assessing the number and width of fire exits available per person. SS Systems can provide assistance in calculating occupancy figures upon request..

A guide for ensuring fire safety in small non-domestic premises is another valuable resource for crafting your own risk assessment. This guide facilitates a methodical approach, guiding you through the five key steps of Fire Risk Assessments.

1. Identify fire hazards

  1. Sources of ignition
  2. Sources of fuel
  3. Sources of oxygen

2. Identify people at risk

  1. People in and around the premises
  2. People who are especially at risk

3. Evaluate, remove or reduce and protect from risk

  1. Evaluate the risk of a fire starting
  2. Evaluate the risk to people from a fire
  3. Remove or reduce fire hazards
  4. Remove or reduce the risk to people from a fire
  5. Protect people by providing fire precautions

4. Record, plan, inform, instruct, and train

  1. Record any major findings and action you have taken
  2. Discuss and work with other responsible people
  3. Prepare an emergency plan
  4. Inform and instruct relevant people
  5. Provide training

5. Review

  1. Review your fire-risk assessment regularly
  2. Make changes where necessary

Enhanced requirements for cooperation and coordination

In premises where there is more than one responsible person, such as multi-occupied premises or buildings with different entities as the occupier and building owner, there are heightened requirements for cooperation and coordination among responsible persons. SS Systems is on hand to provide expertise and input to your business premises or location with occupancy or footfall. Please contact us for a fire risk assessment consultation.

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