Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) are a legal requirement in the UK under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The purpose of a Fire Risk Assessment is to identify potential fire hazards and assess the risk of those hazards causing harm to people, property, and the environment. There are several types of FRAs, including Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. In this blog, we will be discussing Type 4 Fire Risk Assessments and why they are not as commonly known or used as a Type 1 or Type 3 FRA.
A Type 4 Fire Risk Assessment is a more comprehensive assessment that goes beyond the requirements of a standard FRA. It involves a detailed analysis of the fire safety management system and identifies any shortcomings in the current procedures. It also includes a review of fire safety policies, procedures, and training, as well as an assessment of the competency of staff involved in fire safety management.
Type 4 FRAs require a degree of destructive exposure to assess the appropriateness of the building’s compartmentation. This assessment involves taking samples from flats and checking the integrity of the separating construction that protects the common areas and other flats to determine the likelihood of fire spreading.
A Type 4 FRA is typically recommended when there are serious defects in both the common areas and inside the flats that cannot be identified adequately during a Type 1 or Type 3 FRA. These defects may include inadequate compartmentation or poor fire stopping. Another common situation that may warrant a Type 4 Fire Risk Assessment is when a new landlord has acquired a block of flats with a suspicious history of construction work.
Type 4 Fire Risk Assessments provide a more in-depth analysis of fire safety management systems, which allows for the identification of gaps in the current procedures. This information can then be used to develop more effective and efficient fire safety procedures that are tailored to the specific needs of the organisation.
By identifying gaps in fire safety management, a Type 4 FRA enables organisations to develop more effective and efficient fire safety procedures. This can lead to improved fire safety management and a safer working environment for staff and visitors.
While a Type 4 FRA may be more expensive than a standard FRA, it can save organisations money in the long run. By identifying potential fire hazards and addressing them before an incident occurs, organisations can avoid costly damage to property, equipment, and stock.
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, organisations have a legal obligation to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment. A Type 4 FRA can provide greater assurance that an organisation is meeting its legal obligations in terms of fire safety management.
Conclusion
Type 4 Fire Risk Assessments provide a more comprehensive analysis of fire safety management systems and can identify gaps in current procedures that may not be identified in a standard FRA. While a Type 4 FRA may be more extensive and therefore expensive, it can save organisations money in the long run and provide greater assurance that they are meeting their legal obligations and that their building is safe.
©2024 Firntec LTD. England
