When it comes to workplace safety, fire risk assessments are a critical part of the process. But for business owners who may not be familiar with them, these assessments can seem daunting. This guide is designed to provide beginners with all the information they need to understand and complete a fire risk assessment for their business.
We’ll cover the basics of what a risk assessment is, what needs to be included and how to implement the findings. So whether you’re just starting out or looking for some refreshers, read on for everything you need to know about workplace fire risk assessments!
What Is a Fire Risk Assessment For?
Workplace fire risk assessments are an important part of fire safety for any business. They help identify potential fire hazards and assess the risks they pose. Fire risk assessments are also a legal requirement in many workplaces, including offices and shops in London.
The assessor will look at a variety of factors, including the type of workplace, the number of people who work there, the nature of the work, and the materials and equipment used. From this information, the assessor will identify any potential fire hazards and assess the risks posed by those hazards. The aim of the assessment is to ensure that adequate measures are in place to prevent or minimise the risk of fire in the workplace.
The Law and Workplace Fire Safety
In the UK, businesses that have more than five employees are required by law to conduct an annual fire risk assessment. This falls under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. These regulations are extremely important and are in place for a reason — there were 14,308 fires in UK workplaces attended by fire and rescue services in 2019/20.
Workplace fires can have devastating consequences, both for businesses and employees. In addition to the destruction of property, workplace fires can lead to injuries and even fatalities. That’s why it’s so important for businesses to take fire safety seriously and ensure they are compliant with all relevant regulations.
If you don’t meet your legal responsibilities, you could be fined or sent to prison. If you’re found guilty of breaching the Fire Safety Order, you could be fined up to £5,000 and/or jailed for up to six months. If someone dies in a workplace fire and you’re convicted of manslaughter because you’ve breached part of the Fire Safety Order, you could be jailed for life. So it’s important to do everything you can to reduce the risk of fire in your workplace and protect your employees and customers.
The good news is that, with a little effort, almost any workplace can be made safer from the risk of fire. By conducting a fire risk assessment and implementing appropriate safety measures, businesses can dramatically reduce the chances of a fire occurring on their premises. In doing so, they can help protect their employees, their property and their business.
What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?
A workplace fire risk assessment is simply a repeatable process of identifying any potential fire hazards in the workplace and taking steps to prevent them from causing harm. In some cases, a hazard can be completely removed. In cases where this isn’t possible, control measures will need to be implemented.
There are a number of different factors to consider when conducting a workplace fire risk assessment. The first is the type of workplace. Different workplaces have different fire risks associated with them. For example, a manufacturing plant will have different fire risks from an office block.
The second factor is the size of the workplace. Larger workplaces will generally have more potential fire hazards than smaller ones. This is because there are more people and more activities taking place in a larger workplace. They will need a much more thorough approach to fire safety — this Fire Safety Checklist for Businesses guide is a great place to start.
The third factor is the location of the workplace. Some locations are more at risk of fires than others. For example, workplaces in London are at a higher risk of fires than those in many other parts of the country. This is because London is a densely populated city with a lot of older buildings close together.
Once all these setting and size factors have been considered, the next step is to identify the potential fire hazards in the workplace. These could include things like worn-out electrical equipment, flammable materials and blocked exit routes. A quick check of your fire detection systems should also take place to ensure everything is working as it should.
Once all the potential fire hazards have been identified, the next step is to put in place control measures to reduce the risks associated with them. This could involve installing sprinklers, having an evacuation plan and ensuring all staff are trained in fire-safety procedures.
How a Fire Assessment Risk Is Conducted
A workplace fire risk assessment is a legal requirement in the UK and must be conducted by a “suitably competent” person. As the business owner, it’s your responsibility to select this person. The assessment should be a thorough examination of the workplace and should identify any potential fire hazards and risks. There are seven steps to a good workplace fire assessment:
- Identify the fire hazards: This includes anything that could potentially catch fire and cause damage, such as electrical equipment, paper records, flammable liquids, etc.
- Identify people at risk: This includes employees, customers, visitors, etc., who could be harmed by a fire.
- Evaluate the risks: This step involves assessing the likelihood of a fire starting and the potential consequences if one did start.
- Record your findings: This step is important for legal reasons and will also help you keep track of any changes or improvements that need to be made.
- Eliminate or reduce the risks: This step involves taking action to remove or reduce the risks that have been identified. This might include installing smoke alarms, conducting regular fire drills or providing training on fire safety procedures.
- Review and update: This involves periodically reviewing your assessment to ensure it remains up-to-date and accurate. This is especially important if there have been any changes to your workplace or staffing levels.
- Make sure everyone knows what to do: This final step involves ensuring that all employees know what to do in the event of a fire. This might include having an evacuation plan in place and providing training on the use of fire extinguishers.
The assessor should consider all aspects of fire safety in the workplace, including:
- Emergency routes and exits (including signage and lighting)
- Whether there are the right number of fire extinguishers
- Fire detection and warning systems
- Maintenance and servicing of fire fighting equipment
- Removal or safe storage of dangerous substances.
The assessor should also take into account the needs of vulnerable people, for example, the elderly, young children or those with disabilities.
After carrying out the assessment, the assessor should provide employees and other people with information on the findings and any actions that need to be taken. This may include servicing fire extinguishers or taking other measures to reduce the risk of fire in the workplace, such as regular staff training on fire safety.
Following the Fire Risk Assessment
After a workplace fire risk assessment is conducted, it is important to implement any recommended changes to help reduce the risk of a fire. While not a comprehensive list, here are some of the more common actions we recommend after conducting a workplace fire risk assessment.
Designate a Fire Warden
The fire warden is responsible for preparing for the event of a fire and ensuring all staff are aware of the evacuation procedure. In addition, the fire warden will liaise with the local fire authority to ensure the workplace complies with all relevant legislation.
The fire warden will also arrange for regular servicing of all fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment. By taking these steps, businesses can minimise the risk of a workplace fire and ensure they are prepared if one does occur.
Staff Training
Workplace fires are a serious hazard, and it is crucial employees know what to do in the event of a fire. Employees should be given regular training on how to identify potential fire risks and how to respond in the event of a fire alarm.
In addition, employees should be aware of the importance of maintaining a clear fire exit and ensuring all workplace fire alarms are functioning properly. By providing regular training to employees, businesses can help reduce the risk of workplace fires and ensure employees can safely evacuate in the event of a fire.
Update Fire Safety Systems If Needed
Part of maintaining a safe workplace is keeping your fire safety system up-to-date. A workplace fire risk assessment can help identify areas where your current system may be outdated or insufficient and suggest ways to improve it.
Newer technologies like air sampling and CO2 suppression systems can elevate fire security, and Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus (VESDA) offer greater confidence that your building is fire safe. Regular fire alarm maintenance is also essential to ensure your system is working properly and will be able to alert you in the event of a fire. By taking these steps, you can ensure your workplace is as safe as possible.
Who Can Carry Out My Workplace Fire Risk Assessment?
Who is qualified to assess workplace fire risks? The annoying answer is it depends! There are actually a few different people who can carry out workplace fire risk assessments, depending on the size and type of workplace.
Large Businesses
For larger and more complex businesses, fire risk assessments should be carried out by experienced experts familiar with the kind of workplace and the type of business. The assessor should have a good knowledge of the industry-relevant fire safety legislation and codes of practice.
The workplace fire risk assessment should be a comprehensive and ongoing process that is reviewed regularly. It should identify all potential fire hazards and risks and identify ways to control or eliminate those risks. The assessment should be used to develop a comprehensive fire safety plan for the workplace.
SMEs and Smaller Businesses
While it is possible for small businesses to carry out their own workplace fire risk assessments, it is generally recommended they seek professional help to ensure all potential hazards are identified and appropriate measures are put in place.
For both large and small businesses, it’s important to ensure that whoever carries out the assessment is qualified and experienced. They should also be familiar with the workplace so that they can identify any potential risks. Once the assessment is complete, they should be able to provide guidance on how to control the risks, including any necessary changes to fire safety procedures or fire alarm maintenance. By following these steps, you can ensure your workplace is safe for everyone.
Your local fire authority may be able to give you advice if you’re not sure your risk assessment has been carried out correctly. However, contrary to common belief, they cannot carry out risk assessments for you.
The workplace fire risk assessment must be carried out by a “competent person” who has the knowledge, experience and ability to identify the risks in your workplace and implement appropriate control measures.
If you employ five or more people, you must also record the significant findings of the risk assessment and ensure it is available to view by your employees.
What Is a ‘Competent Person’?
In the workplace, a competent person is someone qualified to perform a specific task. This usually refers to someone who has received training or formal education in the field and has the skills and knowledge necessary to safely complete the task. In the context of fire safety, a competent person is someone qualified to carry out a fire risk assessment.
This assessment must be conducted regularly to identify any potential fire hazards and put in place measures to mitigate the risks. The competent person must have a good knowledge of fire safety regulations and be able to identify any potential violations. They should also be able to make recommendations for improving fire safety in the workplace.
Start Protecting Your Business from Fire Today
It only takes one mistake for a fire to start, and it only takes one fire to ruin your business. It’s easy to sit back and think a fire is something that will only happen to others. But the truth is, even without a fire, a lack of fire safety in your workplace could end up costing you dearly in fines. That’s why a thorough fire risk assessment is crucial.
Your workplace fire risk assessment should be conducted by a professional with experience in the field. They’ll be able to identify any potential hazards and recommend steps you can take to mitigate the risks. And while it may seem like an unnecessary expense, the cost of a workplace fire risk assessment is nothing compared to the fines you could face if something goes wrong. So don’t wait — make sure your workplace is safe today.
At Astoria, we understand how important it is for businesses to have a thorough fire risk assessment. We’ve been keeping commercial premises safe since 2007, so we know a thing or two about fire safety systems. Business owners rely on our experience to assess a wide range of commercial buildings.
We’re always happy to advise on workplace fire safety and help you create a safe environment for your employees. Contact us today to find out more about our fire risk assessment service or schedule your FREE site survey. Don’t leave your business vulnerable to the threat of fire — let the experts at Astoria help you create a fire safety plan that meets your unique needs.