What is a fire risk assessment and what do they do?

A fire risk assessment is a crucial component of fire safety measures for any building as it helps to identify potential fire hazards, assess the level of risk they pose, and provide valuable recommendations to not only improve fire safety measures, but also protect the lives of building occupants.

The ‘responsible person’ of every business premises and apartment building in England and Wales are required to ensure a fire risk assessment is conducted by a competent person. Ignoring or neglecting this important measure can put the building, its occupants, and even neighbouring properties at risk. Failing to conduct a thorough fire risk assessment also means you’re not compliant with fire safety regulations.

In this blog, we’ll explore what a fire risk assessment entails, highlighting their importance and the legal obligations for businesses and landlords. We also provide insight into the actions taken during an assessment and the key components of a fire risk assessment, along with the responsible parties, and the penalties for non-compliance.

What is a fire risk assessment?

A fire risk assessment is a systematic evaluation of a building’s fire safety measures. It should be conducted by a qualified fire risk assessor to identify potential fire hazards, assess the level of risk they pose, and make recommendations to minimise those risks. The assessment takes into account various factors such as the building’s layout, its construction and use, and the presence of combustible materials. It also considers the effectiveness of fire precautions such as fire alarms, emergency lighting, and fire extinguishers.

The purpose of a fire risk assessment is to determine the necessary measures to minimise the risk of fire and ensure the safety of the building’s occupants. It’s an essential tool to ensure fire safety for all business premises and residential buildings, like blocks of flats, to comply with fire safety regulations.

The importance of fire risk assessments cannot be overstated. They provide a comprehensive understanding of the fire safety measures present in a building and highlight areas that need improvement. By identifying potential fire hazards and assessing the level of risk, a fire risk assessment helps identify areas of non-compliance and therefore potential fire hazards as well as to prevent fires, reduce the severity of any potential fire incidents, and ensure the safe evacuation of occupants.

What does a fire risk assessment do?

During a fire risk assessment, the assessor will look at the effectiveness of existing fire safety measures and carry out an evaluation that provides a roadmap for improving fire safety by recommending necessary actions. It ensures that adequate fire safety measures are in place to protect the building’s occupants in the event of a fire.

There are a three key steps that need to be taken when conducting a fire risk assessment which include:

Identifying fire hazards

As expected, one of the key steps in a fire risk assessment is identifying potential fire hazards. This involves identifying combustible materials present in the building such as flammable liquids, gases, or solids. It also looks at the presence of ignition sources such as electrical equipment, heating systems, or smoking areas.

The assessor will also examine the building’s construction materials and identify any factors that could contribute to the spread of fire such as open ventilation systems or inadequate compartmentalisation. The assessment will also consider the storage and handling of any dangerous substances to help prevent the risk of fire.

Determining the people at risk

In addition to identifying fire hazards, a fire risk assessment will focus on determining the people at risk in the building. This includes regular occupants, such as employees or residents, as well as any vulnerable individuals who may require extra assistance in the event of a fire, such as the elderly or disabled.

The assessor considers the building’s occupancy levels, working or living arrangements, and any specific requirements of the occupants. They evaluate factors like the presence of lone workers, the number of people who may be present at specific times, and any potential difficulties in evacuating individuals with mobility issues.

Evaluating and acting on fire risk

Once the fire risks and the people at risk have been identified, the assessment evaluates and acts on the identified fire risks. This involves developing an action plan and implementing effective fire safety measures. Some key steps in evaluating and acting on fire risk include:

• Assessing the significance of any changes to the building’s layout, occupancy, or purpose, and updating the fire risk assessment accordingly.
• Developing an emergency plan to ensure a coordinated and effective response in the event of a fire.
• Implementing appropriate fire safety precautions, such as installing fire alarms, emergency lighting, and fire extinguishers.
• Conducting regular fire safety training for occupants to ensure they are aware of evacuation procedures and know how to respond in case of a fire.

Once the fire risk assessment is completed, a detailed assessment report is generated. This report highlights the main findings of the assessment, including any identified fire hazards and risks, along with recommendations and an action plan for improvement of current fire safety measures and compliance.

What happens after the fire risk assessment is completed?

Following the fire risk assessment, it’s crucial to maintain ongoing compliance with fire safety regulations and regularly review the assessment report. Compliance maintenance will often involve conducting fire drills, maintaining fire safety equipment, and keeping up-to-date records of maintenance and training activities. This ensures everyone is aware of the necessary procedures to follow in the event of a fire and also ensures the continued effectiveness of the fire safety measures in place.

It’s also important to review the assessment report whenever there are significant changes to the building, its purpose, or the occupants. These changes could include alterations to the building’s layout, occupancy type, or the introduction of new equipment that may impact fire safety. By actively maintaining compliance, businesses and building owners can help to reduce the risk of fire incidents and protect the safety of their occupants.

Who is responsible for a fire risk assessment?

The responsibility for conducting and regularly reviewing a fire risk assessment under the current fire safety regulations lies with the designated responsible person for the building. This can be the owner, occupier, or manager of the premises.

In the case of a residential building, the responsible person is typically the managing agent or landlord. They are accountable for ensuring the fire safety of the common areas, such as corridors and stairwells. Individual residents are responsible for ensuring the fire safety of their own home.

For businesses, the responsible person is usually the owner or manager, though they may delegate the responsibility to another competent person within their organisation. However, it’s important to appoint a competent person who has the necessary knowledge and expertise to conduct a thorough fire risk assessment and ensure the implementation of appropriate fire safety measures.

A responsible person can conduct a fire risk assessment themselves if they have the necessary knowledge and expertise, however it’s often strongly advised to speak with a third-party professional fire risk assessor, like LS Fire Group. Our professional fire risk assessors have the specialised training and experience necessary to conduct thorough assessments and ensure you’re in compliance with fire safety regulations.

Engaging a professional fire risk assessor also provides an independent and objective evaluation of the building’s fire safety measures, which ensures all potential risks have been identified and appropriate actions have been recommended.

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Failure to comply with fire safety regulations can have severe consequences which can include:

• Severe fines – the responsible person can face significant financial penalties for failing to comply with fire risk assessment regulations. The fines can vary depending on the severity of the non-compliance and the potential risk to life and property.
• Prison sentence – in cases of extreme negligence or significant breaches of fire safety regulations, the responsible person may face imprisonment. This is a particularly serious consequence that highlights the importance of adhering to fire safety requirements.
• Non-legal consequences – failing to adhere to fire safety regulations can also have non-legal consequences such as damage to reputation and potential liability for any injuries or loss of life resulting from a fire.

These potential consequences highlight just how crucial it is for responsible persons to take their fire safety obligations seriously and ensure that all necessary fire risk assessments are conducted and appropriate actions are taken to minimise fire risks.

What are the key components of a fire risk assessment?

A fire risk assessment evaluates various different key components that contribute to enhancing fire safety measures in a building. Some key components include:

• Fire alarms
• Fire safety signs
• Emergency lighting
• Fire extinguishers
• Emergency exit routes
• Fire doors

These components, along with a whole host of other fire safety measures, are assessed and considered during a fire risk assessment to ensure that the building is adequately equipped with reliable and effective systems to prevent, detect, and respond to fires effectively. They’ll look at key factors such as the availability and accessibility of these components, as well as the number and location of the components.

Having these necessary components in place is crucial for effective fire prevention and response. It ensures that occupants of the building have quick and easy access to the tools they may need to extinguish small fires and evacuate safely. The assessment may also involve evaluating the building’s proximity to a fire station and assessing the time it would take for professionals to arrive at the scene in the event of a fire emergency.

The importance of choosing a professional assessor

While some businesses and building owners may choose to conduct their own fire risk assessments, it’s strongly recommended to speak to a professional fire risk assessor to ensure a thorough and accurate evaluation. A specialist fire risk assessor has the expertise, experience, and the appropriate qualifications in fire safety regulations and assessment techniques, which ensures the assessment quality and compliance with legal guidelines. They also ensure any necessary improvements or actions identified are implemented effectively.

Here at LS Fire Group, our professional fire risk assessors have a thorough understanding of the current fire regulations and best practices. We also have a number of fire safety accreditations under our belt including LPS 1014 and BAFE SP101, along with ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 9001:2015 certifications, highlighting our dedication to adhering to strict industry standards and delivering high-quality assessments.

Speak to us for your next fire risk assessment

As we’ve highlighted, the role of a fire risk assessment cannot be underestimated as they’re paramount for ensuring the safety of individuals and compliance with legal obligations. By identifying fire hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing necessary precautions, businesses and residential building owners can create a secure environment.

If you’d like to learn more about our services, or you’re looking for professional assistance with your fire risk assessments, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today for expert guidance.