If you own a building, it is your legal requirement to ensure that this business is safe and fit for purpose.
Why have a fire risk assessment:
- It is a legal requirement.
- If you are responsible for a building this includes being an employer, owner or occupier of premises that aren’t a ‘single private dwelling’ (a private home), you need to make sure a suitably competent person completes a Fire Risk Assessment.
- It is your duty to identify fire risks and hazards in your premises and take appropriate action.
What does a fire risk assessment check?
This type of assessment aims to gain an overall snapshot of a property. All aspects of Fire safety will be briefly addressed and, if required, more detailed individual assessments will be advised. These can include, door audit and fire separation investigations.
Previous documentation relating to emergency lights, fire alarm systems, and everyday audits will be inspected. PAT of items will be noted alongside gas and electrical fuse board testing.
Fire escape signage, housekeeping and procedures will be assessed.
Did you know?
When a Fire officer attends a site, they will ask to view the Fire risk assessment. Therefore, always keep this document in a place where interested parties can easily access it.
MAGG Fire Services. engineers colour-code action items on our fire risk assessments so urgent works are easily identifiable. As a Fire safety company we can help you with remedial works following information from your assessment.
It is very rare that any building is ‘perfect’ regarding fire safety. With regulations regularly updated, it is not unusual for these assessments to throw up required works.
When should a Fire risk assessment be completed?
It is generally believed that a risk assessment should be reviewed annually. However, if significant changes have occurred tot he property then this review should be completed earlier. For example, if any structural changes have occurred, a new alarm system has been fitted or a refurbishment has taken place.
If the assessor believes that the review should happen prior to 12 months, they will note on the document when the next review is recommended.
Due to a change is legislation, it is now advised that a full fire risk assessment should be carried out at three-yearly intervals.
