a fire risk assessment is essential for any business
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Published on HSfB 22 November 2009
As much as businesses across the UK are introducing sufficient fire precautions to ensure safety and peace of mind, each year a small number of people are still killed or seriously injured as a result of fires in their workplace.
However, not only are the consequences on an office fire fatal, but your business could end up paying out thousands of pounds for property damage, insurance and potentially lose your business and livelihood in the process.
In order to ensure that your personnel and operations aren’t at risk, you need to maintain the necessary fire precautions, and oversee that all internal procedures are in place. After the inception of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order in 2005 in England and Wales, and the fact that fire certificates are no longer required, businesses now have a collective responsibility to perpetuate fire risk assessments in the workplace.
For businesses throughout Scotland, however, fire safety accountability falls under Part 3 of the Fire ( Scotland) Act 2005, as amended, and the Fire Safety ( Scotland) Regulations 2006. Although a separate act, both legislations encourage and enforce fire safety in the commercial community as well as emphasis on maintaining a robust fire management plan for your business property.
That’s why Active Fire Management, who specialise in delivering fire consultancy services to a multitude of businesses throughout the UK, appreciate the importance of monitoring your fire risk assessment agenda, as well as being vigilant towards potential risks. They strongly recommend that you follow their guidelines, and quickly determine who will be responsible for comprehensive fire safety.
Who is responsible for fire safety?
This is an extremely important decision to make, so really consider which of your staff possesses the instinct, tenacity and overall commitment for such a role. Anyone who enters your premises is your responsibility, so the nominated individual must be made aware that they’re liable for the upkeep of a risk assessment, and must identify any potential fire risks. The right candidate for this role must know your staff better than anyone, so often the most suitable candidates are the ones who are pragmatic, highly organised and have been at the company the longest.
What are their duties?
Your designated person will have the control and awareness of the fire prevention systems that are in place and often the general building too. Their responsibilities will include:
- Implementing a fire risk assessment and determine all potential fire risks
- Considering all personnel, customers or visitors who could be particularly at risk. For example, less-able people, or those who work with volatile chemicals.
- Disposing or isolating all hazardous chemicals, and having the necessary protection in place with relevant signs.
- Formulising a plan in preparation for any subsequent incidents.
- Ensuring that you record all on-site observations and taking responsibility to review them consistently; ideally at least one a month.
- Not being afraid to express authority. Remember that so much is at stake, and the fire officer’s due diligence and attention to detail is integral to the safety of you and others.
What about staff training and fire drills?
We suggest you carry out a fire drill every six months, but once a year as a minimum. Make sure that everyone responds to the drill and after record the fire log in your book. With regards to training, you must establish that everyone knows:
- How to use all fire equipment and where it’s situated
- Where to congregate in an emergency and who to report to
- Where all fire exits are located
- How to raise an alarm in an emergency
Ensure you review and revise your risk assessment
Needless to say that your fire risk assessment should always be up to date, particularly if there are any changes, big or small, to your property that could potential affect fire invulnerability (for example new personnel, or structural changes).
When you revisit your reviews and observe any changes, it is them time to implement a risk assessment. In other words, if you have any doubt whatsoever with the integrity of your staff or premises, then this is the time to conduct a fresh assessment. Your safety measures and fire precautions may well be coherent and efficient, but it’s certainly always better to be safe than sorry.
For more information on how a professional fire risk assessment is integral to any business, visit www.activefiremanagement.co.uk
Words by Matthew Crick