A Fire Risk Assessment should be seen as the first step to be able to control, manage and mitigate risk from fire and ensure fire safety. These assessments are designed to identify and evaluate any potential fire hazards in a building, and to implement measures to minimise the risk of fire and protect the lives of the buildings occupants.

Rules and regulations:

The Regulatory Reform (Fire safety) Order 2005, and additionally amended within the Building safety act 2022, requires that all non-domestic buildings, including businesses and public buildings, have a fire risk assessment carried out. This includes all types of building, from care homes, schools to offices and importantly this also includes common areas in blocks of flats and houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) Any Fire Risk Assessment for a residential property should be carried out by a competent person, such as a fire safety professional or a qualified surveyor, and should take into account the specific characteristics of the property and the needs of the occupants. The amends made as part of the building safety act 2022 has placed additional scrutiny on fire risk assessors, with assessments only to be carried out by ‘competent professionals’.

Why are Fire Risk Assessments vital to fire safety:

The purpose of a fire risk assessment is to correctly identify any potential fire hazards in a building, and to evaluate any risks to the building occupants. This includes identifying any potential sources of ignition, such as electrical equipment or open flames, as well as the materials that could fuel a fire, such as paper or flammable chemicals. The assessments also looks at the means of escape in case of a fire and the provision of firefighting equipment. 

Once any fire hazards have been identified, the fire risk assessment will recommend actions to reduce or remove the risks. This can include installing relevant fire alarms and sprinkler systems, providing fire extinguishers and fire blankets and ensuring that escape routes are clearly marked and importantly, unobstructed. In addition, the assessment may recommend the need for staff training on fire safety and evacuation procedures. 

Importantly fire risk assessments are not a one-time event but an ongoing process. The assessment should be reviewed regularly, we would recommend at least annually, or following any significant changes to the building or how it’s used. This ensures that the measures put in place to reduce the risk of fire are still effective and that any new hazards are identified and correctly addressed. 

How we can help:

With the changes being made within the Building Safety Act, it’s more important than ever to make sure that your FRA is completed by a competent professional. At Firntec we take pride in offering a wide range of Building Safety Consultancy services, including Fire Risk Assessments, Surveying Contracts, Comprehensive Fire Strategies and Measured Building.