Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 employers (and/or building owners or occupiers) must carry out a Fire Risk Assessment and keep it up to date.

Based on the findings of your assessment, you need to ensure that adequate and appropriate fire safety measures are in place to minimise the risk of injury or loss of life in the event of a fire.

To help prevent fire in the workplace, your risk assessment should identify what could cause a fire to start, i.e. sources of ignition (heat or sparks) and substances that burn, and the people who may be at risk.

Once you have identified the risks, you can take appropriate action to control them.  You need to consider whether you can avoid them altogether or, if this is not possible, how you can reduce the risks and manage them.  Also consider how you will protect people if there is a fire.  You need to:

• Carry out a Fire Risk Assessment.
• Keep sources of ignition and flammable substances apart.
• Avoid accidental fires, e.g. make sure heaters cannot be knocked over.
• Ensure good housekeeping at all times, e.g. avoid build-up of rubbish that could burn.
• Consider how to detect fires and how to warn people quickly if they start, e.g. installing smoke alarms and fire alarms or bells.
• Have the correct fire-fighting equipment for putting a fire out quickly.
• Keep fire exits and escape routes clearly marked and unobstructed at all times.
• Ensure your workers receive appropriate training on procedures they need to follow, including fire drills.
• Review and update your risk assessment regularly.
  
  

Many businesses are destroyed by fire each year; the majority of businesses which experience a fire find they are unable to continue in business. Carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment will help you to determine whether you are doing enough to reduce the likelihood of a fire in your premises.

affersafety are able to help you with your Fire Risk Assessment. Our trained consultants are able to undertake a Fire Risk Assessment for you or guide you through the assessment process.  We will consider what measures you have in place to prevent fire and protect people in the event of a fire and provide you with advice on the effectiveness of these measures and whether additional measures should be implemented.

If you need any assistance in carrying a Fire Risk Assessment on your premises call in the expertise offered by affersafety.

If you need help with your Fire Risk Assesment feel free to give our lead consultant Paul Affleck a call on 07968 381445 or email us on info@affersafety.co.uk