Who Fills in a Fire Risk Assessment?

Fire Risk Assessment is a legal requirement under the provisions of Regulatory Reforms (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Fire Safety Act 2021. The Law is applicable on all non-domestic premises in the UK and Wales. This assessment aims to ensure the safety of property and people against any possible risks or threats of a fire incident.

In addition to commercial, industrial, and business places, this law applies to buildings with two or more two residential blocks of flats for the purpose of Fire Risk Assessment. The common areas of these buildings, such as entrance doors, staircases, and corridors, also come under the ambit of this law. The law makes it a legal requirement for business owners, landlords, and property managers to conduct Fire Risk Assessments on the properties under their control. The term “responsible person” is mentioned in the law, and it can either be the owner himself or anyone he nominated for this purpose.

Provisions of Fire Safety Order 2005

The relevant law is silent on the qualification and competency level of the person conducting the fire risk assessment. It only imposes this duty on the responsible person. This is probably due to the huge variations in the nature and size of the business and premises. Similarly, the law is silent about the frequency of such assessments; it only says ‘regularly”.

Accordingly, the responsible person is required, per the law, to arrange fire risk assessment and manage its periodic review regularly but not less than once a year. It is a need-based activity in general, such as any new additions or changes in employees' responsibilities and alterations in layout and seating arrangements within the workplace, which would necessitate a review of the fire risk assessment. But in any case, it has to be reviewed at least once a year.

Who Fills in The Fire Risk Assessment?

The level of competency and expertise required to do a Fire Risk Assessment varies considerably based on the nature of the business and the type of premises. For instance, fire risk assessment in a small workplace might be simple and easy; hence, it doesn’t need much expertise. Anyone with a basic knowledge of fire safety protocols can do it. On the other hand, a large commercial or industrial unit with complex tasks involved would need a higher level of competency and expertise. In this case, you may have to hire the services of a professionally qualified risk assessor.

So, anyone nominated by the owner for fire risk assessment can inspect a small workplace. However, you might have to engage a qualified, experienced risk assessor for larger commercial and industrial units. While choosing the risk assessor, the following criteria must be considered.

• He must be a qualified fire safety engineer
• He must be registered with an official professional register
• He must have reasonable experience in the field of fire risk assessment
• He must have a good repute in the market
• He must have a reasonable knowledge about the business sector you are working in.

However, it is advisable to engage a well-reputed risk assessment firm, especially if your business falls under the category of a large unit. But the criteria for choosing the right company will remain the same as discussed above.

Conclusion

Fire risk assessment is a technical task, especially when the premises and the business activity fall under large units. While you can do it yourself if you own a small business unit, you will need the services of a professional risk assessor or a well-reputed risk assessment service provider.

In any case, it should be kept in mind that the risk assessor must have a reasonable knowledge of fire safety parameters. He must also possess basic knowledge of the relevant law so that there is no violation of the rules and regulations and the task is completed strictly as the law desires.