A fire risk assessment (or FRA) is a legal requirement and the foundation of your fire safety strategy. Carrying out an FRA means performing an audit of your setup to help you identify fire hazards, inadequate equipment, structural risks or outdated procedures, then create an effective (and fully documented) fire safety plan to tackle them. But who is responsible for doing this work? And how can you make sure you’re staying compliant?
Why is a fire risk assessment important?
A fire risk assessment is often the first step in finding and responding to fire hazards, making emergency plans, and doing what’s necessary to protect the people working, visiting or even living on your premises.
To make sure you stay compliant with fire safety laws, this FRA should be reviewed at least every year, or even sooner if you’ve made any changes to your building or to the people who are on site each day. You must keep a written record of your FRA.
Who does a fire risk assessment?
The person who looks after fire risk assessments in your organisation is referred to by law as the Responsible Person. It’s their job to carry out and regularly review the fire safety risk assessment of your premises, and ultimately identify what you should do to stop a fire breaking out and keep people safe.
This Responsible Person could be:
• An employer, if the premises is a workplace
• The managing agent or owner for shared parts of premises, or shared fire safety equipment (e.g., fire-warning systems or sprinklers)
• The occupier, which might be a self-employed person or voluntary organisation with control over part or all of the premises
• Any other person with some control over part of the premises
What areas of your premises should a fire-risk assessment cover?
According to UK Government guidelines, the Responsible Person or professional third-party should assess the following areas during their fire risk assessment.
- Emergency routes and exits
- Fire detection and warning systems
- Firefighting equipment condition
- Removal (or safe storage) of dangerous substances
- Emergency fire evacuation plan
Consulting and covering the needs of your people
A fire risk assessment must also make sure you’re putting in place precautions that will protect your people. Part of this process is consulting with and giving relevant information and training to stakeholders, including:
- Vulnerable people, including older people, young children or people with disabilities
- Employees and other people on your premises
As standard, fire safety training should also be provided for your staff.
Guidance and assistance: FRA checklists and guides
The UK Government has published guides on carrying out fire risk assessments, with specific information for premises in different sectors including offices, educational institutions, care homes, animal premises/stables, shops and healthcare settings.
When should you bring in the experts?
While it’s more than possible for a Responsible Person to carry out their own FRA, this may not be an option if someone doesn’t have the expertise, time or confidence to do so. In these situations, it’s always better to appoint a third party ‘Competent Person’ to help.
JLA’s own expert fire risk assessors have all the relevant industry accreditations and latest industry knowledge. We’ll offer professional advice and highlight areas for improvement and go on to write a comprehensive fire risk assessment report which can be kept for your records.
For more details on choosing a professional fire risk assessor, take a look at our guide here.
Or for help and advice on your next FRA, simply get in touch.
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