A fire risk assessment is a systematic examination of a workplace or premises to identify fire hazards and assess the risk of people being harmed by fire:
- PurposeTo determine if existing fire precautions are adequate, or if they need to be reduced or improved
- Legal requirementYes, for anyone responsible for a building that isn't a single private dwelling
- StepsIdentify fire hazards, identify people at risk, evaluate, remove, or reduce risks, record findings, prepare an emergency plan, provide training, and review and update regularly
When carrying out a fire risk assessment, you should consider:
- The potential for ignition
- The number of times the situation could occur
- The factors that could cause it to occur
- The number of people in the premises
- The number of floors and staircases
- The number and location of exits
- The need for fire alarms, fire exit signs, emergency lighting, and fire extinguishers
- All outdoor locations and any rooms or areas that are rarely used