Carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment will identify what you need to do to prevent fire and keep people safe. They help to avoid a fire, as well as ensuring all the correct procedures are in place deal with a fire as well.
This duty falls to the responsible person, usually the employer. However, this task can get delegated to an appointed competent person within in the business. Or you could outsource it to a professional risk assessor.
But by following the 5 steps, any capable person can complete a Fire Risk Assessment. There is a wealth of free information available to help you out as well.
1. Identify The Fire Hazards
Fires start when heat (a source of ignition), comes into contact with fuel (things that burn), and oxygen (air).
At this step, you need to walk around your premises and recognise things that could start a fire, and things that could burn.
Heaters, naked flames, and electrical equipment are all potential sources which are of high risk. Anything flammable is something which could burn, like packaging, rubbish, furniture, and equipment.
Remember to check both inside and outside the premises as well.
2. Identify People At Risk
If there is a fire, then everyone is at risk. Everyone in and around the premises can get identified as being at risk. But who are those people?
You’ll need to consider employees, contractors, visitors and the public.
But there will inevitably be people who are a higher risk as well. This is often the result of when and where they work. Employees working in an area with an increased risk or night staff are such examples.
People at a higher risk also include the disabled, elderly and people unfamiliar with the premises. And as a result, they will need assistance escaping when an emergency presents itself.
3. Evaluate And Act
Now you need to think about what you found out in steps 1 and 2. These are the risks of a fire starting, and the risks of people in the building and nearby.
The next step is to remove and reduce the risk of a fire. You can achieve this by keeping things that can burn, away from things which could start a fire to avoid an accidental fire.
But also try to avoid the potential for an arson attack. What could an arsonist use to start a fire? Remove and secure any potential fuel sources. This could include locking bins away from any buildings.
You also need to take action to protect people by providing fire precautions. Who is going to help evacuate people? How will people know there’s a fire? Smoke alarms, preferably linked, will ensure everyone gets alerted as soon as possible.
There could be a chance that you could control a small fire and prevent it from spreading. For when this is the case, you’ll need working fire extinguishers nearby which are appropriate for their intended use. These will likely need annual servicing as well to ensure they are in good working condition.
But also, how will everyone escape? Have you provided clear means of exits and working safety equipment everyone can use? And will people know what to do?
Using push bars and pads on fire exit doors ensures everyone can make a safe and quick exit. But you’ll also need to provide plenty of signage to direct people towards exits and how to use any equipment available.
4. Record, Plan And Train
Make sure you are then making a record of everything you have found and the actions you have taken. Having a written record of your assessments is only a legal requirement if you hire 5 or more people. However, if something does go wrong, it may be difficult to prove that you completed the assessment if it’s not in writing.
Then produce a clear plan of how to prevent fire and how you will keep people safe in case of fire. Make sure to then share this plan with everyone so they’re aware of what they need to do.
Make sure you are providing the necessary training. This includes practicing a fire drill and recording how it went and any areas of improvement.
Also, nominate staff to be fire wardens/marshals who will assist in a fire and help to prevent fires with you. They will then need correct training to enable them to fulfil the role. Ensure that they are also equipped with everything a fire marshal/warden needs.
And every new member of staff, temporary or permanent, will need informing of the plan.
5. Review
Keep your Fire Safety Risk Assessment under regular review. Over time, the risks will probably change. This can include any changes to the building or in operations your business undertakes.
Reviewing a record of any fires or near-misses could give you the vital information you need to review anything you may have overlooked.
Should you identify anything significant requiring changes to the plan, everyone will need informing. Then where appropriate, ensure staff also receive re-training.
The Government have provided a free checklist to help you carry out a fire safety risk assessment yourself.