How to assess fire safety

A fire risk assessment must be done regularly.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 states that all UK business should carry out a fire safety assessment on a regular basis. A responsible person must do this assessment, and the results of the findings must be acted upon. A fire safety assessment can help identify the priority areas that must be acted upon quickly so that resources are used appropriately.

Things You'll Need

• Pen
• Paper

Instructions

Gather Information

1. Identify any possible fire hazards. This includes anything that can start a fire, such as heaters, cookers and naked flames, anything that can burn, such as piles of paper, and anything that may intensity a fire, such as oxygen sources.

2. Recognise any people who may be at risk. Include those who work with, or near, a fire hazard but also the elderly, the disabled, children and babies.

3. Check that there are adequate fire exits. These exits should enable people to leave the premises safely and reach a place of safety. Fire exit doors should be kept clear and open in the direction of exit without the need for a key, card or code.

4. Check to see that fire exits are labeled clearly. Signs should be used to direct people to them. Photo-luminescent signage may be needed to enable people to escape at night.

5. Test smoke alarms. The first minutes of a fire starting are crucial; smoke alarms are a key way to alert you to a fire.

6. Review your fire extinguishers. The main types of fire extinguishers are water, powder and foam. Different extinguishers are effective on different types of fire; make sure you get the one most suitable for your needs.

7. Conduct regular fire drills and monitor how quickly and easily people were able to leave the premises.

Evaluate

1. Assess the probability of a fire occurring in each area.

2. Estimate the severity of a fire occurring, in terms of harm to people and damage to property.

3. Evaluate the risks. The best way to do this is to determine the likelihood of occurrence together with the severity of effects.

4. Organise your findings from high/high to low/low. The greatest likelihood of fire together with the greatest severity is high/high.

Action

1. Remove or reduce fire hazards starting with the areas that scored high/high. This may include replacement of flammable materials, removal of paper build-up or providing a designated smoking area.

2. Install and replace safety equipment if needed. For example, you may add more fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. Begin with the high/high areas.

3. Continue the process until you have completed it for all areas.

Tips & Warnings

• Fire extinguishers should be serviced regularly. Check the manufacturer's guidelines.

• In the UK, it is a legal requirement to give all your staff fire training.

• In the UK, smoking is banned in virtually all workplaces and enclosed public places.

References

• Communities and Local Government: Fire safety law and guidance documents for business
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: Focus on Prevention--Conducting a Fire Risk Assessment

Resources

• Lancashire Fire and Safety Rescue
• Direct Gov: Smoke Alarms
• Direct Gov: Fire Fighting Equipment