Does The Gas Safety Certificate Include Fire Risk Assessment?

A Gas Safety Certificate is a document that confirms that a property's gas appliances, such as boilers and ovens, have been inspected and deemed safe for use. In the UK, landlords are required by law to obtain a gas certificate for rented properties and to conduct annual gas safety checks, with a copy of the certificate provided to tenants.

Although gas and fire are related to each other, a gas certificate does not include a fire risk assessment. This article will delve into what a gas safety certificate covers and how it differs from a fire risk assessment.

What Does a Gas Safety Certificate Include?

A gas safety certificate covers a range of safety checks that must be carried out on gas appliances and installations, including:

• Checking that the appliance is properly installed and is being used correctly
• Checking that the appliance is operating efficiently and is not releasing harmful gases
• Checking that the appliance is properly ventilated
• Checking that the appliance is properly maintained
• Checking that the gas installation is safe and meets the required standards

What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire risk assessment involves evaluating a building or premises to identify and assess potential fire risks and the measures in place to prevent and control those risks.

In the UK, the Fire Safety Order 2005 requires that all non-domestic premises and common areas of multi-occupied residential premises must have a fire risk assessment. This includes buildings used for business, industry, education, entertainment, assembly, or accommodation.

The purpose of a fire risk assessment is to identify any hazards that could cause a fire to start, assess the likelihood of a fire occurring, and evaluate the potential consequences if a fire were to occur. The assessment also determines the effectiveness of the controls in place to prevent a fire and to control the spread of a fire if it does occur.

The person responsible for the premises, such as the owner or manager, is responsible for conducting the fire risk assessment and implementing any necessary changes to reduce the risk of fire. The assessment should be reviewed regularly or whenever there are changes to the premises or the way it is used that could affect the risk of fire.

Here is what is included in a fire risk assessment.

• Identification of potential fire hazards such as sources of ignition, oxygen, fuel, and signage.
• Evaluation and removal of the risks in accordance with the highest fire safety standards.
• Determining if people are at risk and outlining a fire risk management plan, including the installation of fire alarms and other fire safety instruments, as well as the creation of escape routes.
• Inspection of the existing fire safety instruments to find out if they are in good shape. The emergency lighting, firefighting equipment, and warning systems will be checked to ensure that they can be used.

Why Is a Fire Risk Assessment Necessary?

There are various reasons that will make you realize the importance of a fire risk assessment, as mentioned below.

1. Legal Obligation:
   The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, 2005 of the UK, mandates that owners or managers must get a fire risk assessment if the following holds true:
   • If you own a building that is not a private dwelling
   • If there are at least five people who work for your business
   • Your business is a licensed/registered business
   • If significant changes have been made to the property, such as changes in the floor plans.

   You should keep in mind that if a fire breaks out and you fail to meet your legal responsibility of keeping people safe, you will be fined and can even end up in prison.

2. Promotes a Fire Safety Culture:
   A great thing about a fire risk inspection is that it promotes a fire safety culture. It equips tenants with crucial safety training which they can utilize if a fire breaks out. Once you introduce a fire safety culture, the likelihood of incidents occurring is minimized.
3. Reduces the Risk of Property Damage
   Since a qualified assessor would examine all types of fire hazards, including fuel sources, lighting, and heaters, all hazardous issues would be addressed early on. This will help reduce the risk level and boost the safety of the building.
4. Provide a Comprehensive Report
   A great thing about conducting a fire risk check is that it will provide you with a comprehensive assessment report of your property. The professional will carefully inspect the building to ensure that you have a clear idea about its condition. When you go through the report, you will notice potential fire hazards and take corrective measures to eliminate them once and for all.

How Can You Obtain a Fire Risk Assessment?

A professional fire risk assessor is a qualified individual who is trained to carry out fire risk assessments and provide advice on fire safety. You can search for a fire risk assessor in your local area or contact a professional association, such as the Institute of Fire Safety Managers or the National Fire Safety Association.

A fire risk assessment must be carried out by a competent person who has the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to identify and assess the risks of fire, and it is advisable to hire a professional fire risk assessor.

The process is easy, as all you need to do is reach out to a professional. Then, a fire risk assessor will call you to schedule an appointment to determine when it would be best to visit your premises for the assessment..

Gas Safety Certificate and the Fire Risk Assessment

After you have gone over the post, you will have a better understanding of a fire risk assessment. You should know that it is not included in the gas safety inspection. Hence, you will have to hire a professional to assess the risk of a fire breaking out in your building.

The fire safety inspection will also help provide peace of mind as you would not need to stress about your property catching a fire. Besides, the professional will recommend what you can do to maximize safety.