Fire risk assessments (FRA) are a legal requirement for any business. In this blog, we’ll explore what fire assessments are, who is responsible for completing them and how often they should be reviewed.
What is a fire risk assessment?
Fire risk assessments for commercial property are step-by-step processes that assess risks and fire hazards within your business and on-site activities. Actions will be planned to reduce the chances of fire risks occurring.
Fire assessments can:
- Identify fire hazards.
- Determine who could be at risk from hazards.
- Help you create a fire action plan that evaluates how to remove or reduce risks using fire safety measures.
When a fire risk assessment for commercial property is undertaken, a report with all the findings will be provided, allowing you to complete the recommendations in the document.
Why should a fire risk assessment be performed?
Fire risk assessments are a legal requirement that keeps businesses and their customers safe. Without one, you can be subject to fines and potentially manslaughter charges in the event of someone dying in a fire when a fire risk assessment hasn’t taken place.
Who is responsible for completing a fire risk assessment?
The person responsible for a fire risk assessment can also be referred to as the ‘responsible person’ or the ‘competent person’. Their role is to regularly review and carry out fire risk assessments.
The responsible person in your business could be:
- The employer (if the premises is a workplace).
- The managing agent or owner for shared parts of the premises or fire safety equipment. This could include fire warning systems or sprinklers.
- The occupier - if they have any control over the building. This could include self-employed people or voluntary organisations.
- Any other people with control over a part of the premises.
While you can complete your own fire risk assessment, you can hire professionals to complete one instead. This can guarantee that it’s completed properly and complies with legal requirements. For further legal advice regarding commercial properties and fire risk assessments, get in touch with our commercial property solicitors today.
FAQs
1. How many steps make up a fire safety risk assessment?
Fire safety assessments typically have 5 steps:
- Fire hazards - This is where anything that could start a fire is identified. This could include electrical equipment, combustible materials and gas.
- People at risk - This will identify how many people are in the building and whether they’re subject to greater risk, for example if mobility is impaired.
- Evaluate, remove or reduce risks - This stage will look at how many floors or staircases there are in the building, as well as how many exits, fire alarms and fire extinguishers are in the building.
- Record, plan and train - This will involve creating plans on how you will keep people safe from fires, and provide information on what to do in the event of a fire.
- Review - Fire risk assessments will need to be reviewed regularly and amended if any changes are made to the business. A record of your fire risk assessment must be kept and the date of its completion must be noted.
2. What do I need to consider?
You’ll need to consider:
- emergency routes and exits
- fire detection and warning systems
- fire fighting equipment
- the removal or safe storage of dangerous substances
- an emergency fire evacuation plan
- the needs of vulnerable people, for example the young children or those with mobility issues
- providing information to employees and other people on the premises
- staff fire safety training
3. How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
Fire risk assessments should be reviewed annually to ensure any changes to layouts, building structure or occupants are recorded. A full assessment should be completed every three to five years or sooner if big changes are made to the premises for example, alterations or changes to fire exits.