Fire risk assessment
Robust fire safety management is essential to protect your colleagues and others from harm.
By law, people responsible for blocks of flats with common areas and all commercial premises are required to conduct a fire risk assessment and they must record all the findings of the fire risk assessment.
Therefore, all landlords, property owners, and property managers have a legal requirement to assess and maintain an assessment of the risks of fire safety in the workplace.
What is a fire risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment is a review undertaken of a building to assess its fire risk and offer recommendations to make buildings safer, if necessary.
Our fire safety service starts with a fire safety risk assessment to understand where you are currently in terms of fire safety compliance in accordance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This results in a detailed report that incorporates control measures in place and identifies any deficiencies in practices and procedures and/or breaches in current legislation.
Unlike a health and safety risk assessment, which would look only at common areas, where there is more than one responsible person the fire risk assessment would also consider cooperation and coordination between these persons.
An action plan would also be prepared, summarising the steps necessary to reduce any unacceptable risks and indicating the priority in which such work should be carried out.
The main rules under fire safety legislation require persons with control to:
- Carry out a fire risk assessment identifying any possible dangers and risks;
- Consider who may be especially at risk;
- Remove or reduce the risk from fire as far as is reasonably possible and provide general fire precautions to deal with any possible risk left;
- Take other measures to make sure there is protection if flammable or explosive materials are used or stored;
- Create a plan to deal with any emergency and, in most cases, keep a record of your findings;
- Review your findings when necessary.
What are the benefits?
Having a fire risk assessment sets a level of safety standards that goes beyond simply ticking a box. Along with this, you will gain insight into the current level of safety in a property.
A fire risk assessment will reduce the chance of a fire which decreases the damage that can be caused, as well as any potential fines. Your business will also be safer for everyone, and you will be complying with legal requirements.
How can Ligtas support you?
Ligtas currently complete around 10,000 fire risk assessments a year across the UK, delivered through our qualified and experienced team of fire safety specialists., therefore you can be assured that we have the experience needed to ensure you receive the best possible advice.
A detailed report would be prepared, highlighting any deficiencies in practices and procedures and any breaches in current legislation. The recommended PAS 79-1 & PAS 79-2 fire risk assessment methodologies are used as part of our BAFE SP205-1 Third-Party Accreditation for Life Safety Fire Risk Assessments
Unlike a health and safety risk assessment, which would look only at common areas, the fire risk assessment would also consider tenanted areas. This is because if there is more than one responsible person in any type of premises (e.g. a multi-occupied complex), all tenants must take reasonable steps to co-operate and co-ordinate with each other.
An expert team who are highly qualified with in-depth knowledge and understanding of current health and safety legislation, along with good practice guidelines, will become your partner.
A full assessment report with photographs will be produced, including clearly prioritised recommendations for any further action, using a red, amber and green rating for ease of use and interpretation.
Our team will create an environment where you will feel confident to manage the fire risks in your workplace.
Our fire safety experts
Our Fire Safety specialists have the following qualifications and accreditations:
- Appropriate qualification in fire safety, e.g. BSc (Hons) or European Diploma in Fire Safety
- Members of the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE)
- Members of the Institute of Fire Prevention Officers (FPO)
- Listed on the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) list of approved auditors and assessors
- BAFE Accredited Reports
When it comes to fire, it is always best to be alert and on top of your fire risk assessment so that your business is doing everything it can to keep people safe.
