Fire Risk Assessments For Businesses

Businesses are legally required to carry out Fire Risk Assessments

The information provided here is aimed to help you start to think about carrying out this task. Alternatively you can use a Health and Safety consultant to carry out the fire risk assessment for you but this is usually only necessary for large or complex businesses. We will be adding more information about fire risk assessments over the coming months, so do continue to check our website for more details in the future.

Installation and maintenance of fire and intruder systems with door access and entry phone system

The Home Farm Trust Ltd.
Installation and maintenance of proximity door access / entryphone, fire and intruder systems.

Why do Businesses in Bristol and Bath have to do a Fire Risk Assessment?

The most important reason for carrying out a fire risk assessment is that it helps reduce the risk of fire by identifying issues that need attention, and helps you plan ahead to protect staff and buildings. Over 70% of businesses that suffer a major fire do not recover or fail within three years. The Regulatory Reform Order (2005) was brought in to standardise good practise and simply provides a structure to what we should all be doing anyway for the good health of our businesses.

Which Businesses have to do a Fire Risk Assessment?

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into effect for England, Scotland and Wales in 2006. It applies to all businesses with 5 or more employees and where a licence or registration is required, except those where you work from home, work offshore, in a field, in the air or down a borehole.

Companies have to appoint a “Responsible Person” who carries out the risk assessment. This is nearly always the employer, but can include other people. Responsibility may be shared if a building is shared with other businesses. Click here to find out how to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment.

The Aim of a Fire Risk Assessment

To pinpoint any fire hazards
To lower the risk of these hazards to an adequate level
To identify what actions should be taken to ensure the protection of the people on site in the event of fire.

What Parts of my Premises should the Fire Risk Assessment Cover?

Basically, all of it. This also includes:

Lofts, attics etc,
outside sheds,
basements and cellars,
areas for storage
garages and warehouses

A piece of advice: Split your premises up into manageable chunks for the purpose of the risk assessment, especially if it covers a very large site. Take your time to complete it comprehensively and approach the job systematically.

If you are the responsible person for an organisation, you also need to maintain your fire alarm system in good working order. Standfast Security Systems are expert in carrying out design, installation, monitoring and maintenance of fire alarm systems in Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. We can remove this aspect of your role and provide comprehensive reports for your records.

The Avon Fire and Rescue Service has provided a comprehensive fire safety check list for the responsible person detailing what must be considered in the Fire Risk Assessment. We hope it is helpful to you.

Call us on 0117 942 3366 or email Philip Dadd on mail@standfast.co.uk for all your risk assessment related fire alarm needs.