Fire Risk Assessment

• What is the purpose of a FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT?
• Who needs a FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT?
• Why do you need a FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT?
• Who is responsible?
• The CDS Solution
• How often?
• The Next Step

What is the purpose of a FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT?

1. To assess and take measures to eliminate or minimise the possible causes of fire.
2. To assess and take measures to minimise personal injury or loss of life from any fire, especially to those employed on the premises, those resident on the premises, those visiting the premises and those with disabilities.
3. To assess and take measures to minimise major financial losses from any fire.

Who needs a FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT?

• Offices and shops
• Factories and warehouses
• Sleeping accommodation ( hotels, hostels )
• Residential care premises
• Small and medium places of assembly ( e.g. village halls )
• Large places of assembly ( e.g. sporting venues )
• Theatres, cinemas and similar premises
• Open air events and venues
• Healthcare premises
• Transport premises and facilities

Why do I need a FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT?

1. Because the law requires it.
   The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires all organisations of 1 or more persons to carry out a fire risk assessment of their premises. For organisations of 5 or more persons the assessment must be in written form.
2. Because the Fire Brigade will no longer be doing it for you.
   The Government has altered the emphasis of the Fire Brigades with regard to fire risk assessment. Fire Brigades will no longer be responsible for carrying out regular fire risk assessment checks on buildings, except as a means of enforcement and/or as a precursor to prosecution.
3. Because it may save lives.
   In 1995 fire killed 485 persons in the UK and injured 13,997.
4. Because it may save you/your company money.
   Fire can damage your premises. Fire can damage the contents of your building. Fire can destroy irreplaceable information & designs. Fire can destroy your ability to carry on trading/working. You can be fined for not carrying out a fire risk assessment and for each individual breach of fire regulations.
5. Because it may save your reputation.
   A good reputation is hard to earn, easy to lose and, once lost, almost impossible to recover. It is not just your organisation’s reputation as a good and responsible employer that is at stake, but your personal reputation too.

Who is responsible?

1. A landlord may be responsible for the structure of the building, as detailed in the lease agreement.
2. A parent organisation may be responsible for determining a safety policy and providing the appropriate finances for its implementation.
3. A local manager may be responsible for ensuring that a proper fire risk assessment for the premises has been carried out, for ensuring that the significant findings of the assessment are implemented and/or that the appropriate responsible bodies are informed, for implementing the fire safety policy of any parent organisation, for training staff to be fire risk aware, for ensuring the safety of visitors to the premises, etc.
4. A premises officer may be responsible for the inspection and testing of certain fire safety systems or apparatus.
5. Other parties may have additional responsibilities, depending upon the circumstances.

The CDS Solution

• A site survey and inspection
• Consultation on findings
• A final report, comprising:
  - a completed standardised questionnaire
  - a list of significant findings (essential work to meet your minimum fire safety requirements with each recommended remedial action given an appropriate priority rating)
  - a list of recommendations (non- essential work designed to enhance your fire safety).

How Often should you have a FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT?

• Any fire
• Any "near miss" situation
• Any alteration, extension or demolition of any part of the structure of the premises
• Any change in the use of any part of the premises
• 2 Years

The Next Step