Fire risk assessments (FRA) are carried out on workplaces to help identify the potential risks, ensure that the legal requirements are met and reduce any fire risk.
A FRA will consider all occupiers of a property which is used for business purposes, including employees, visitors and contractors. The workplace may be permanent or temporary (for example ‘pop-up shops’) and can cover just one room or an entire building.
A fire risk assessment must be carried out by a person with suitable experience, training or qualifications. This could be someone who has attended approved training courses such as the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Certificate in Fire Safety Assessing course, approved by L8 Approvals, or a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE).
The purpose of a fire risk assessment is to: identify any fire hazards; assess the risk from these hazards; and put in place measures to control the risks. The aim is to make sure that people are safe from the dangers of fire, whether at work or elsewhere.
what to consider when carrying out a fire risk assessment
Fire safety is everyone’s responsibility. Staff should know what to do in the event of a fire occurring, who to raise the alarm with and how they can ensure that other people are aware of any dangers. The findings from the risk assessment will form part of an action plan designed to reduce the risks identified. This may include fire safety training for employees, the installation of fire detection and suppression systems or the provision of fire extinguishers.
It is important to remember that a fire risk assessment should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis, particularly if there are changes to the workplace (such as new staff, new equipment or alterations to the layout).
Qualities of a Good Fire Risk Assessor
-The assessor must have a good understanding of fire safety and the potential risks associated with fire
-They must be able to identify any fire hazards present in the workplace
-The assessor must have experience, training or qualifications in risk assessment
-They must be able to produce a report that is clear and concise, and that will be understandable to those who need to implement the recommendations
-The assessor must be able to work with clients and other stakeholders to agree on appropriate fire safety measures
-They must be up-to-date with current fire safety legislation and guidance notes.
Fire risk assessments (FRA) are important for any workplace that uses an internal combustion engine, gas heating appliance or oven. The purpose of a FRA is to identify any fire hazards and put in place measures to control them.People nowadays usually think about the possibility of a fire breaking out in their home, but often forget that fires can also happen in the workplace. Workplaces have different hazards and risks than homes do, so it’s important to have a FRA done in order to make sure that everyone is safe from the dangers of fire.
A FRA should be carried out by someone who has experience in fire safety, whether it’s an employee of the business or a contractor. The person carrying out the assessment must have undergone training in risk assessments and be able to produce reports that are clear and concise.