It is often questioned: What is a Fire Risk Assessment and when is a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) needed?
If you’re responsible for a building, it’s important to do all you can to reduce the risk of fire to keep people safe. This means having a careful look at your premises and the people who use them, from a fire prevention perspective. It’s about understanding the potential risks, then improving your fire safety precautions to keep people safe.
FRA as per the Regulatory Risk Order 2005 is needed for any premises where 5 or more people are working. The FRA needs to be reviewed every 2 years.
Steps for a successful Fire Risk Assessment are:
Step 1 – Identify people at risk
Step 2 – Identify fire hazards
Step 3 – Evaluate the risk
Step 4 – Record your findings
Step 5 – Review and revise
How should a Fire Risk Assessment look like?
Make sure your FRA file is containing the following:
- Introduction, purpose of the report and how to use it
- Project Information and Assumptions
- The general form of the building
- Areas covered by this risk assessment and documentation on which the assessment is based
- Purpose of the fire risk assessment and methodology
- Relevant legislation and guidance documents used
- Duty-holders
- Persons at Risk from Fire
- Occupants and occupants with mobility impairment
- Identify sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen
- Dangerous substances & hazardous materials
- Fire Safety Measures Provided in the Building
- Fire strategy overview
- Housekeeping overview
- Managing Fire Safety overview
- Reviewing the continuing effectiveness of arrangements
- Identification of people at risk and fire hazards
Recording the significant findings and developing an action Plan