Guide To Carrying Out A Fire Risk Assessment

To be compliant with the Fire Safety Order 2005 anyone responsible
for business premises must undertake a fire risk assessment. The
assessment must be carried out for all types of business premises
including offices, shops, bars, restaurants, factories, schools, care
homes and warehouses and for every type of building, structure and
open space. The order says that a person who owns or controls business
premises must manage any fire-risk. This person is deemed responsible
for complying with this legislation by properly managing fire safety
practices and procedures. This includes carrying out a Fire Risk
Assessment of the business and premises.A fire risk assessment is a
means determine the likelihood of a fire occurring in the workplace.
This is achieved by examining the factors in your work activities and
work areas that could cause harm. From the assessment precautions can
be determined to ensure that fire hazards are reduced to prevent fire
from occurring. A Fire Risk Assessment can be broken down into four
steps to simplify the process, this can be shortened to IERR;
Identify, Evaluate, Record and Review.Identifying fire hazards and the
people who are at risk. Hazards could include the following sources of
ignition, naked flames, heaters, fuel, display materials, textiles or
overstocked products. Also the following sources of oxygen such as air
conditioning or medicinal oxygen supplies. People who are at risk
includes people in and around the premises and people who are
especially at risk. People who may be especially at risk could be
people working near to fire dangers, people working alone or in
isolated areas, children or parents with babies and the elderly or
disabled.Evaluating, remove and protecting from fire. In other words,
evaluate the risk of a fire starting, the risk to people from fire,
remove or reduce fire hazards and risks to people from a fire, and
protect people by providing fire precautions. For example, substitute
highly flammable materials with less flammable ones, ensure you
separate flammable material from ignition sources and have a safe
smoking plan.Recording and educating, any significant findings and
actions you have taken must be documented. Discuss and work with other
responsible persons if necessary, prepare an emergency plan, and
inform and instruct relevant people and provide training.Reviewing
your fire risk assessment regularly and make changes where necessary
in essential. An assessment ought to be carried out regularly each
year to ensure the legislation in the Fire Safety Order is adhered
to.