Pontefract Fire Risk Assessment Service
Controlling fire risks is an important part of managing a property. In order to be able to protect against the risks of fire, the first step will identify these risks. This is where the fire risk assessment comes in. A legal demand for all ‘non-domestic’ premises, fire risk assessments (or FRAs) are a snapshot of how protected any given property is. They will ensure the safety of its occupants in the event of a fire. The FRA will also identifies corrective actions and further steps to achieve an appropriate level of fire safety.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (commonly known simply as the Fire Safety Order) introduced a legal duty. This duty requires ‘the responsible person’ to take all reasonable steps to ensure that fire safety levels are appropriate at all times. The segment within the legislation focussing on fire risk assessments opens with the following:
Risk assessment
9.—(1) The responsible person must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to which relevant persons are exposed for the purpose of identifying the general fire precautions he needs to take to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed on him by or under this Order.
This legislation applies to all non-domestic properties including commercial and public premises, such as shops, factories, warehouses and offices. It also applies to schools, nursing homes, and businesses providing sleeping accommodation. Furthermore, it applies to sheltered housing and the communal areas of blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
Businesses
For businesses employing five or more employees, there is a legal requirement to not only carry out a fire risk assessment, but to document the findings in writing. Fire Risk Assessments will be carried out by the organisation or business affected. There are official fire risk assessment help guides available. FRA forms can be downloaded for free from a number of sources.
However, if you have doubts about your ability to carry out an FRA, it is highly recommended to engage the services of a professional fire risk assessor. This ensures you comply with all relevant regulations.
Areas that must considered in almost all fire risk assessments are fire detection systems, emergency exits and routes (including evacuation plans), and firefighting equipment. Additionally, the availability of information and advice to the building’s occupants needs consideration.
Issues such as the specific needs of vulnerable people and the safe storage of any dangerous substances will be considered. However, these may not always be a relevant factor for the fire risk assessment depending on the use of the building.
Our fire risk assessors are based in Leeds and Bradford.
Please fill in the form below to organise and appointment.