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Fire Risk Assessment Information

In 2005 businesses, organisations and landlords were given strict guidelines to follow with regards to fire safety in the form of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. It states that they must carry out Fire Risk Assessments and that the responsibility for fire safety now lies fully with the 'responsible person'.

The responsible person can be a building proprietor, business owner, landlord or an appointed person within an organisation’s staff. If competent to do so, they may carry out the fire risk assessment themselves. There is also the option to outsource the task and employ the services of a professional fire risk assessor who will survey the premises and report back their findings.

What is a fire risk assessment & why are they important?

A fire risk assessment is an in-depth review of the premises, highlighting all fire risks and making recommendations to reduce or eliminate the risk. Fire risk assessments are important as they assess all aspect of fire safety for a premises, for example, building users, sources of ignition and materials that could burn. and ensure that all relevant and appropriate risks are addressed. This could include evaluating current fire safety measures like fire extinguishers or evacuation procedures, and recommending improvements if required.

Are fire risk assessments a legal requirement?

All premises, other than those that are solely used a single private dwelling (e.g. houses), in England and Wales are required to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO) 2005 legislation. Commercial premises, like workplaces, and buildings used by the public, would be required to comply with the legislation.

A responsible person, in non-domestic premises, has a legal responsibility to ensure that the fire safety for all that are employed or those that visit the premises are safe. This includes those who may be on-site or within the immediate vicinity such as neighbours and visitors to a public building.

Most of the previous Acts providing legislation on fire safety have been repealed and replaced with this single document, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. One of the most important changes to the legislation, ensures that the responsible person must consider everyone who might be on the premises at any one time. This could include employees, visitors, and members of the public including neighbouring housing or businesses. In particular it highlights that consideration to ensure that individuals with disabilities are given the same protection as individuals that do not have impairments.

Who is responsible for completing a fire risk assessment?

Commercial premises will have an appointed Responsible Person, who must ensure that RRFSO is carried out and followed to ensure everyone's safety. In the majority of cases, the Responsible Person may be the owner and/or manager of the premises, who will need to consider what they can do to protect themselves and others that may use the premises from the risk of fire. Anyone completing a fire risk assessment should be competent and fully trained to do so.

Carrying out a fire risk assessment

The responsible person must observe a number of duties laid out in the legislation. These are:

Take general fire precautions

Nominate competent persons to help

Do a fire risk assessment

Introduce fire safety arrangements and equip the premises

Inform all people on the premises

Set up a maintenance system

Eliminate or reduce risks posed by dangerous substances

What do my employees have to do?

Most duties outline in the RRFSO pertain to the responsible person (usually the employer/owner of the business), but there are some general duties that are expected of every employee whilst they are at work.

What happens if I don't comply with the RRFSO?

If an accident occurs on the premises, it is possible that you will be held legally responsible and could face criminal or civil action for negligence. The RRFSO gives Fire Inspectors and Fire Officers, the authority to inspect your premises. If they feel an infringement of the legislation has occurred which is serious and/or dangerous, they can either:

Choosing the right fire risk assessment for your environment

For those who need assistance or do not have the expertise to complete their own FRA, we offer a free downloadable risk assessment form, if you would like to complete a self-risk assessment. This assessment form must be used in conjunction with the official fire risk assessment guide(s)! Visit GOV.UK for a free download of the official guides.

Ensuring you get the correct advice from the start is key when choosing the right fire risk assessment for your premises. Safelincs offers a variety of fire risk assessments, dependant solely on the type of premises that you own or manage.

Additional resources

Here is a list of additional government resources, which provides extra guidance in completing your fire risk assessment specifically for your premises.

FAQs

FAQs (1)

How often do you need to carry out a fire risk assessment?

There is no explicit guideline as to how often a fire risk assessment should be carried out, however it is advised that a fire risk assessment should be re-visited by a professional risk assessor every 5 years. During this time, if there are any structural changes or new equipment is introduced within the premises, the fire risk assessment should be updated to reflect these changes and to highlight the risks posed.