How Do I Fill Out A Fire Risk Assessment Form?

Fire Risk Assessment is mandatory for all non-domestic buildings in the UK under the Regulatory Reforms (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The residential blocks of multi-occupied buildings are also covered under this law; hence, conducting a Fire Risk Assessment at these properties is also a legal requirement.

Who Can Conduct a Fire Risk Assessment?

The Fire Safety Order 2005 requires that the Fire Risk Assessment must be conducted by the “Responsible Person.” A responsible person can be the landlord himself or any other person nominated by him, either from one of the employees or any other professional assessor. It mainly depends on the size and nature of the building. Anyone with a basic knowledge of fire safety can do it for a small workplace. Still, for a big commercial property, you may have to get the services of a professional and qualified risk assessor.

How to Fill Out the Risk Assessment Form?

A complete workplace inspection or any other property for compliance with a fire safety order and fire risk assessment must include the following basic elements.

• Identification of Fire Hazards – This includes surveying the entire building to see what and where the fire hazards are. The findings to be recorded as under
  • Type of Hazards
  • Are existing control protocols effective? If yes, explain the safety measures in place
  • If not effective, suggest how to improve them
• Identification of people at risk – Survey the entire building to mark those at risk of being affected by a fire. This may include children, senior citizens, or the ones with some disability. Persons exposed to flammable substances may also be at risk. Record your findings as under
  • Type of Hazards
  • Who are the persons at risk? Mention in detail how they are vulnerable and at risk
  • What measures are in place and whether those  are suitable or not
  • If not suitable, suggest improvements
• Evaluation and Removal of Risks – The next important component of a fire risk assessment is evaluating the intensity of the risk. Once done, you need to suggest how these risks can be removed. Ideally, the risks should be removed, but realistically, it may not be possible. So, try to reduce the risks to the maximum possible extent. Find out the appropriate responses to the following pattern:
  • Where are the ignitable materials
  • What are the measures in place to control these ignition sources
  • How the combustible material is put away from ignition sources
  • Are the fire alarm devices in place and working effectively
  • Whether the fire alerts were promptly passed on to everyone in the building
  • What are the emergency exit plans
• Record the findings – Law requires that you record your findings if more than five employees occupy the premises. However, it is strongly recommended to get it recorded invariably, even if the number of employees exceeds 5.
• Train the occupants- This is another important part of the fire risk assessment. Arrange training sessions for the occupants. Teach them how to keep the premises free of fire risks and, in case of any such happening, how they have to react to reduce the impact of the fire accident.
• Review Regularly – The law does not specify the frequency of fire risk assessment review; it only requires doing it regularly. So, the responsible person has to decide when to conduct the review. Ideally, it should be at least once a year.

Conclusion

Fire Risk Assessment is not a one-time job. It has to be reviewed at regular intervals, especially if there is a considerable change in the layout of the workplace or the addition of new equipment. The basic idea is to keep the premises free of fire risk. So, keep reviewing and re-assessing the fire risk in the premises under your control as a responsible person.