FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT: WHAT IS IT AND WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL?
A fire risk assessment aims to evaluate a building’s fire risk and recommend changes to make the structure safer. Although organizing a fire risk assessment may seem time-consuming, it can significantly increase fire safety on your property.
What Does a Fire Risk Assessment Include?
A fire risk assessment consists of the following five aspects:
Determine the Fire Risks
The first step of a fire risk assessment starts with identifying the building’s possible fire threats. Everything that can start a fire and provide fuel for it once it is underway should be the focus of your initial inspection. That includes potential ignition sources, including anything that provides heat or flames, such as heaters and naked flames. This applies to all electrical appliances, gas cookers, and appliances without the kitemark or CE labels, indicating a certain safety level.
A fire risk assessment’s duties extend beyond identifying potential fire starters to assisting in containment if a fire breaks out. Search for any sources of oxygen or fuel that the fire could access.
Determine Who is at Risk
Determining the occupants in a structure who are in danger is the second step of a fire risk assessment. You should take precautions against fire so that everybody within the structure and outside who might be in danger is protected in the event of a fire.
It’s crucial to take into account any vulnerable residents who could have particular needs. Older people or those with disabilities who have trouble moving about may require extra fire protection.
Assess, Eliminate or Minimize, and Safeguard Against the Hazards
The next stage is to assess the risks and identify strategies for mitigating or eliminating them. Start by determining the danger. This can be divided into phases to guarantee a thorough assessment of every single risk:
- Probability of causing harm
- Level of harm and destruction
- Total number of impacted individuals (including vulnerable groups)
You can rank the fire risks according to their urgency and severity by breaking them down into these points. It will be up to you and your fire experts to determine how you eliminate and minimize hazards.
Note Your Discoveries, Create an Emergency Plan, and Offer Instruction
The results of your fire risk assessment should be documented. Noting the risks and individuals in danger, as well as the steps taken to mitigate them (i.e., lowering or eliminating risk and providing protection from it), are all part of this process. From here, you can also draft your emergency plan while considering the unique difficulties your property presents and its location. Ensure the residents know their obligations for fire safety and risk management and what to do in the event of a fire. Collaborate with other responsible individuals as well.
Regularly Check and Update the Fire Risk Assessment
Regardless of what happens, reviewing your fire risk assessment regularly is crucial. However, a fresh fire risk assessment must be done if you have a fire or any significant changes to your property.
Conclusion
A fire risk assessment thoroughly examines your space and the occupants from a fire safety standpoint. To keep people safe, you must first recognize the possible hazards and strengthen your fire safety protocols.
