Fire Safety
The introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO) 2005 changed the responsibility for the control of fire safety from the Fire Authority’s onto building managers. The RRO applies to all non-domestic premises and places a duty of care on either, or any combination of, the employer, the occupier or the owner as the Responsible Person.
Alternatively a Competent Person providing services can fulfill this task for you. Our fire safety consultants are highly skilled individuals, many of whom have many years of experience serving with the Fire and Rescue Services Fire Safety teams.
This Fire risk Assessment process carried out as instructed by the “Responsible Person” or their agent (as defined by Article 3 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 in order to comply with Article 9 of that order by having a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment carried out.
You must record the “significant findings” of that assessment if:-
- You employ five or more employees
- A Licence under other legislation is in force
- An alterations notice is in force requiring a record to be kept
If you employ less than 5 employees, you are still legally bound to have a fire risk assessment of your premises and to train your staff.
The assessment follows a simple 5 step guide to completing a fire risk assessment.
The fire safety risk assessment should identify the significant hazards (that could potentially start a fire and what materials could burn) and the effects a fire could have on people using or working in the building.
The fire safety risk assessment should be completed in a systematic way and every room or area of the premises should be assessed.
Any significant hazards should be removed or the hazard reduced to an acceptable level.
The 5 Step Guide to Fire Safety Risk Assessment
- Identify the hazards
- Identify people at risk
- Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk
- Record, plan , inform, instruct and train.
- Review.
The fire risk assessment is a dynamic process and it must be kept up to date. It is important to update the assessment annually or if anything is changed in the premises that might affect the risk, (e.g. new ignition sources or use of flammable liquids etc.).
If you identify that there is the likelihood of a fire occurring or there is a serious risk to people you should consider seeking further advice on possible solutions.
The significant findings of the fire risk assessment should be used to produce an emergency plan. To make sure that the emergency plan works regular fire drills should be carried out. These measures are required to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.