Why is Fire Risk Assessment Important?

Fire is one of the major risks for domestic as well as non-domestic buildings. The most serious risk associated with a fire incident is that it can occur at any time, even without an obvious reason. It can start anywhere with just a little flame or an electric spark.

The severity of the fire accidents is evident in various reports from the relevant UK government departments. The reports reflect that fire accidents have shown an upward trend in the previous years. In 2021, 249 casualties were reported, whereas in 2022, 276 people lost their lives. Regarding the number of registered fire incidents, there has been an increase of 28% in 2022 compared to 2021. Reports reveal that the major cause of this upward trend in fire-related accidents is unawareness and non-adherence to the relevant fire safety regulations.

Fire Safety Regulations – UK

Fire safety has always been a point of concern for the authorities in the UK. Various laws and regulations have been in place to prevent fire accidents. The "Fire Precautions Act 1971" was promulgated to minimize the risks associated with the fire at domestic and non-domestic premises. As we advance, the "Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999" was brought in to strengthen the precautionary measures against possible threats of a fire incident further.

Then in 2005, a new and comprehensive fire safety regulation was introduced, which came into force on the 1st of October 2006. This law is known as “The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005”, more commonly called the Fire Safety Order 2005.

Under the provisions of this law, all non-domestic properties, such as commercial or business entities, must get their premises surveyed regularly for Fire Risk Assessment. Additionally, residential blocks and public places of multi-occupational buildings are legally required to conduct the fire risk assessment. 

What is Fire Risk Assessment?

Fire Risk Assessment is the careful survey of the entire building to assess the risks of a fire eruption. Fire can start anywhere, anytime. There may be several reasons behind any such occurrence. Fire safety includes adopting various precautions to minimize these reasons to ensure minimum damage to workplace property and human lives.

Fire safety is "the practices and measures to minimize the damages instigated by a fire." The safety measures are generally of two types. Firstly, these are intended to prevent the fire. Secondly, these are aimed at avoiding the spreading of the fire and minimizing the impact of the fire destruction.

Fire Risk Assessment is a comprehensive survey that includes the identification of risks, suggesting the remedial and precautionary measures to minimize these risks, and planning and implementing the exit strategy if a fire incident occurs.

Who is Responsible for Conducting A Fire Risk Assessment?

The landlords or owners of the business and commercial entities are responsible for conducting the fire risk assessment on their premises. The relevant law requires that it has to be done by the 'Responsible Person”. The responsible person can be the owner himself or any other person nominated by him for this purpose. The nominated persons may be one of his employees or any other qualified and competent person, depending on the business's nature and the building's size.

What is Involved in A Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire risk assessment should invariably include the following basic elements:

1. Identification of Fire Hazards

A fire risk assessment's first and foremost element is identifying fire hazards. A fire hazard may increase the risk of a fire eruption. Workplace fire hazards may include ignition sources such as an electric spark, a heater, or any other electrical appliances. The second category of fire hazards is the fueling sources that help spread the fire, such as paper, plastic, wood, or gasoline. Also consider the main catalyst of a fire, Oxygen. All these factors must be considered while identifying the fire hazards. The emphasis should be on reducing the impact of these fire hazards.

1. Identification of the People at Risk

The second important factor of a fire risk assessment is identifying people who are or might be at risk of being affected by the fire. This may differ on a case-to-case basis. However, generally, elderly people or children might be the most vulnerable in case of a fire incident. Similarly, people with any type of disability are at more risk.

The visitors, who might not know the escape routes in case of a fire, are even more susceptible. Likewise, there may be some employees who work in an environment that is prone to fire eruption. Such people might be at more risk than others. Hence, the fire risk assessor must remember all these people when conducting a risk assessment.

1. Evaluation and Improvements

Once the fundamental tasks of identifying hazards, assessing potential risks to individuals and property are completed, the subsequent phase involves evaluating these risks and proposing strategies to mitigate the likelihood of a fire. Remember, you cannot expect zero risk under any circumstances, so the emphasis should be on reducing the risks to the minimum possible level.

Remove or reduce the fire hazards and plan ways to save the people identified as "at risk." Installation and effective monitoring of fire safety gadgets is also a part of improving the fire safety level of your premises. Evaluate the risks by categorizing them into Low, Medium, and high-risk factors and then implement a workable solution.

1. Take Action to Remove or Lower the Risks

This step is even more crucial for your success. Take appropriate steps to minimize the fire risks and implement your safety plan. Ensure all the suggested measures are in place and workable in case of a fire incident.

1. Record your Findings and Suggestions

After completing the fire risk assessment, you must record your findings, suggestions, and plans in a document. It should include the identified fire hazards, the identified people at risk, your suggestions on reducing or removing these hazards, and your plans for implementing these suggestions.

1. Train the People

Impart basic training to the employees on how to avoid fire hazards and react in case of a fire incident. Such training sessions should be repeated more often so the employees can understand what is expected.

1. Review your Assessment

Fire risk assessment is not a one-time exercise. You need to review it periodically, at least once a year. But it is more advisable to do it repeatedly after short intervals. It is necessary because the circumstances may change, and employees and their roles may also change frequently.

1. Redo the Fire Risk Assessment

While it is necessary to review the fire risk assessment at least once a year or, if possible, more often than once a year, a complete and comprehensive new fire risk assessment must be done every three or four years. You must redo the fire risk assessment for the low-rise buildings after four years. After three years, the fire risk assessment has to be comprehensively redone for buildings higher than three levels.

Importance of Fire Risk Assessment

• It is a legal requirement under the Fire Safety Order 2005.
• Non-compliance with Fire Safety Order may result in huge fines
• If a fire occurs at your workplace and you do not have a valid fire risk assessment, the consequences may be even worse, including imprisonment.
• It is also your moral responsibility to ensure the safety of the lives of your employees working on your premises.
• Fire risk assessment protects your business, property, and workforce. In case of a fire incident, you may face huge financial losses. Your business may also be affected.
• Apart from financial losses, you may incur extra expenses to treat the injured people during a fire incident.
• The fire may damage your costly assets, including furniture fixtures and other business equipment.
• Conducting the fire risk assessment and reviewing it regularly gives you peace of mind in the shape of adherence to the laws of the land. Additionally, you also feel protected against any possible threats of a fire.
• Regular review of the fire risk assessment is also very important. With the change in office or workplace layout or due to any new inductions in your workforce, the entire scenario changes, which would require a review of the current fire risk assessment. Doing so regularly will ensure the safety of your workplace
• Above all, the reputation of your business is also improved if the workplace is established to be safe against any type of risks, including fire risks. So, the fire risk assessment plays a key role in improving your business prospects.

Conclusion

A fire can be a serious threat to your business as well as the occupants of your premises. That's why the relevant rules and regulations legally bind landlords and business owners to ensure the safety of their employees against any possible risks and threats of a fire accident. Fire Risk Assessment is the basic tool that guarantees the safety of the people and properties against any such risk.

Apart from being a legal obligation, fire risk assessment is also important for workplaces and business owners in many other ways, as explained above. So, don't get complacent. Always remain alert of the ever-changing circumstances and get the fire risk assessment reviewed regularly to make it updated. This may go a long way in protecting your business and workforce.