Fire Risk Assessments
Why do I need a fire risk assessment??
As an employer (and/or building owner or occupier) you are required to carry out and maintain a fire safety risk assessment. This is under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, [RRFSO] which applies in England and Wales, and under Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act. The fire safety assessment can be carried out either as a separate exercise or as part of a single risk assessment covering other health and safety risks.
You only need to record the assessment if you have 5 or more employees
‘The Responsible Person’ - anyone who has control of premises or anyone who has a degree of control over certain areas or systems may be a ‘responsible person’.
For example, it could be:
• The employer for those parts of premises staff may go to.
• The managing agent or owner for shared parts of premises or shared fire safety equipment such as fire-warning systems or sprinklers.
• The occupier, such as self-employed people or voluntary organisations if they have any control; or any other person who has some control over a part of the premises.
• Although in many premises the responsible person will be obvious, there may be times when a number of people have some responsibility.
How can Firewatch help?
We have been carrying out fire risk assessments for many years. Our assessors have completed courses at the Fire Service College and with leading trainers CS Todd Associates, who are instrumental in writing British Standard code of practices. We take the view that a fire risk assessment should be collaborative with the client, as nobody knows your business, property and practices as well as you.
The assessments carried out by the team at Firewatch are not a standard ‘tick-box’ style, but are thorough and detailed and should be used by your business as a working document and we will assist you step by step.
The RRFSO places a duty on the responsible person to carry out a fire risk assessment. Responsible persons under the RRFSO are required, following a fire risk assessment, to implement appropriate fire safety measures to minimise the risk to life from fire and to keep the assessment up to date.
The RRFSO allows you to bring in a competent person to help you carry out the risk assessment.This may be some- one who you feel may have the necessary knowledge or expertise to carry out this task, including someone you know who has already carried out a fire risk assessment or a fire safety specialist whom you pay. If you do choose to get advice or help from others, the responsible person is still legally responsible for the risk assessment.
Contact Firewatch to discuss the requirements of the RRSFO – 0800 783 4171
Regular Plan
Our assessment is not the off the shelf tick-box style often used, but an extensive assessment of all aspects of the property and the working practices of the business. It should be used as a business working document, with a full list and contact details of responsible persons and contractors and dates of all applicable periodic tests. It will also show the areas surveyed, photographic records to highlight any issues arising and a list of any remedial work that should be carried out and its priority.
After the assessment has been completed a copy will be sent to the responsible person and, if requested, a further meeting will be arranged to discuss any issues arising. We keep an electronic record of your assessment in our archives should your copy be lost or destroyed for whatever reason.
Gold plan
We also offer a three-year fire risk assessment package, which is as per the regular package, but including two annual reviews with a written report on completion and advice on any issues arising. If you are carrying out any major alterations to your building or work process, our package includes a visit, should you wish, prior to commencement, to identify any potential fire safety issues.
