How many steps make up fire safety risk assessment?

A fire risk assessment is a crucial step in ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone within a building. Under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person is required to ensure a fire risk assessment is conducted by a competent person, and failure to comply with this requirement can result in serious consequences.

The assessment aims to identify potential fire hazards, evaluate the risk of fire, and make recommendations for reducing the fire risk further, or if a fire does occur, to ensure that everyone within the premises can safely evacuate. The assessment should be conducted by a competent person, such as a professional fire risk assessor, that has the specialist knowledge, expertise, and qualifications in fire safety regulations.

When carrying out a fire risk assessment, there are a number of key steps that each play a vital role in safeguarding a property against the threat of fire and ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations. In this blog, we’ll break down the 5 steps of fire risk assessment that should be followed to not only ensure the safety of the building, but also its occupants.

5 steps of fire risk assessment

Here are the 5 steps of fire risk assessment which are essential in ensuring the safety of a property and those inside it from the threat of a fire.

Step 1: Identifying fire hazards

The first step in a fire risk assessment is to identify potential fire hazards within the premises. Fire hazards are anything that could potentially start a fire or fuel its flames. This includes electrical equipment, equipment that produces extreme heat, cooking equipment, and combustible materials. The assessment takes into account both accidental fire risks and the possibility of arson.

The assessment will also identify any potential sources of ignition, such as electrical equipment, as these can also pose significant fire hazards within a building. Combustible materials can also pose a significant fire risk if not managed properly, and these are present in almost every office or residential building. Some of the most common combustible materials include:

• Paper – a potential fuel source for fires.
• Cleaning fluids – if not stored correctly, these can be a potential ignition source.
• Packaging materials – can obstruct escape routes if not kept clear or could become a fuel source in the event of a fire.
• Flammable liquids – another potential ignition source.
• Dangerous substances – must be safely used, handled, and stored to minimise the risk of fire incidents.

By identifying these potential fire hazards, it allows you to address these hazards by implementing fire safety measures to minimise the risk of fire and ensure the safety of everyone within the premises.

Step 2: Determining people at risk

Once potential fire hazards have been identified, the next step in a fire risk assessment is to determine who is at risk within the premises. This includes both regular occupants, such as employees or residents, as well as external stakeholders who may visit the premises.

It’s also essential to consider the vulnerability of individuals, such as those with disabilities, mobility issues, the elderly or children, who may require additional assistance in evacuating the building in an emergency. Some key considerations for identifying and ensuring the safety of vulnerable individuals include:

• Assessing the layout of the building and identifying any barriers or obstacles that may impede their evacuation.
• Providing clear and accessible escape routes and ensuring they are properly signposted to guide individuals to safety.
• Training staff on how to assist and evacuate vulnerable individuals in an emergency, including the use of appropriate equipment and communication methods.
• Regularly reviewing and updating emergency plans to account for any changes in the needs or circumstances of vulnerable individuals.

In addition to regular occupants, a fire risk assessment needs to also consider the risk to external stakeholders who may visit the premises. This might include customers, clients, suppliers, or anyone else who may enter the building. Some key considerations for assessing the risk to external individuals include:

• Identifying the areas of the building accessible to the public and assessing potential fire hazards in these areas.
• Implementing appropriate fire safety measures, such as clear signage, to guide people to safety.
• Providing staff with adequate training to assist and evacuate individuals in an emergency.
• Regularly reviewing and updating emergency plans to account for any changes in the number or type of individuals visiting the building.

It’s crucial to provide a safe environment for all individuals and by identifying those at risk, appropriate measures can be implemented to ensure their safety in the event of a fire.

Step 3: Evaluate and act

The next step in a fire risk assessment is to evaluate the risks and implement preventative measures. This involves carefully assessing the likelihood and potential consequences of a fire occurring through the identified fire hazards and taking steps to minimise the risk and its impact. Some key factors to consider when evaluating fire risks include:

• The severity of the hazard – assess the potential harm or damage that could result from the hazard, including the risk to life, property, and business continuity.
• The likelihood of occurrence – evaluate the probability of the hazard causing a fire, considering factors such as the frequency of use, maintenance, and potential human error.
• The effectiveness of control measures – consider the adequacy and effectiveness of existing control measures in place to mitigate the risk of the fire hazard.
• The potential for escalation – assess the potential for the hazard to worsen or lead to additional hazards or complications.

It’s also essential to implement appropriate strategies to mitigate the identified fire hazards and prevent the occurrence of a fire. Some key strategies to consider include implementing engineering controls, installing and maintaining fire detection and warning systems, providing fire suppression equipment, developing and implementing emergency evacuation routes, or providing comprehensive fire safety training to staff.

Actively evaluating and implementing preventative measures for the identified fire hazards effectively mitigates the risk of a fire occurring and protects building residents in the event of a fire.

Step 4: Record, plan, and train

A crucial step in a fire risk assessment is recording the findings, preparing emergency plans, and providing training to staff. This is to ensure that the assessment is effectively communicated, and appropriate measures are in place to respond to a fire emergency.

While it’s not a legal requirement to keep a written record unless there are five or more regular occupants in the building, it’s strongly recommended to maintain accurate records. These records also serve as proof that the assessment has been conducted and provide a reference for future reviews and updates.

It’s also vital to develop an effective fire emergency plan as this outlines the actions to be taken in the event of a fire and ensures the safe evacuation of everyone in the building. It typically includes important elements such as:

• Designation of individuals responsible for alerting the fire brigade
• Clear and well-marked escape routes
• Adequate emergency lighting for visibility during evacuation
• Provision of fire protection equipment, such as fire extinguishers and fire blankets
• Consideration of people with disabilities and their specific evacuation needs
• Placement and number of fire extinguishers and fire blankets
• Instructions on how to safely evacuate the building

Providing staff training and conducting regular fire drills in an office building are also essential components of a fire risk assessment as it ensures that all employees are aware of fire safety protocols and know how to respond in the event of a fire.

Fire drills allow for practical application of knowledge and help familiarise individuals with evacuation procedures. They also assess the effectiveness of the emergency plan, identify any areas for improvement, and provide an opportunity for employees to practise evacuation procedures and enhance their preparedness for real fire situations.

Step 5: Review and update the fire risk assessment

Regularly reviewing and updating the fire risk assessment is crucial to ensure its ongoing effectiveness. This helps to ensure that the fire risk assessment remains accurate and up to date, reflecting any changes in the environment or operations. Regular reviews also help to keep the assessment in compliance with current safety standards and regulations, providing a proactive approach to fire prevention and safety.

While there are no specific guidelines on how often a review should be conducted, it’s recommended to review the assessment annually, whenever there are significant changes to the building or its occupants, or if there has been a fire or a near miss.

By regularly reviewing the assessment, it can help to identify any new fire hazards and assess the effectiveness of existing control measures. Whenever there are significant changes, it’s necessary to update the assessment to reflect these changes. Updating the assessment may involve:

• Revisiting the identified fire hazards and evaluating any new risks
• Assessing the effectiveness of existing control measures and implementing improvements if necessary
• Reviewing the emergency plan and evacuation routes to ensure they align with the updated assessment
• Providing additional training and information to staff regarding any changes to the assessment
• Keeping accurate records of the updates made and the rationale behind them

By regularly updating the assessment and associated plans, building owners can ensure that their fire safety measures remain in line with current regulations and best practices. This proactive approach helps to prevent fire incidents and protect the lives and property of building occupants.

Looking for a professional fire risk assessor?

Conducting a thorough fire risk assessment is crucial for safeguarding lives and property, as well as adhering to current fire safety regulations. These 5 steps of fire risk assessment highlight the importance of fire safety and why the safety of all individuals within your building should always be the top priority.

If you would like a qualified and professional fire risk assessment conducting, or you’d like to learn more about fire risk assessments and our services, be sure to get in touch with us today.