What is a fire risk assessment
Fire risk assessments are complicated and an overview on the key areas is below.
Fire hazards
Fire starts when heat (source of ignition) comes into contact with fuel (anything that burns), and oxygen (air).
You need to keep sources of ignition and fuel apart.
Heaters, lighting, naked flames, electrical equipment, hot processes such as welding or grinding, cigarettes, matches and anything else that gets very hot or causes sparks.
Packaging, rubbish and furniture could all burn, just like the more obvious fuels such as petrol, paint, varnish and white spirit. Also wood, paper, plastic, rubber and foam dependant upon your work place.
Do your walls or ceilings have hardboard, chipboard, or polystyrene?
Who is at risk?
Everyone is at risk if there is a fire. The risk may be greater for some because of when or where they work, such as night staff, or because they’re not familiar with the premises, such as visitors or customers.
Children, the elderly or disabled persons are particularly at risk
Evaluate the risk
Considering what has been discovered above, evaluate this and remove or reduce the risk.
Could a source of heat or sparks fall, be knocked or pushed into something that would burn?
Take action to protect your people and premises.
Record, plan and train
Keep a record of any fire hazards and what you have done to reduce or remove them. If your premises are small, a record is a good idea.
If you have five or more staff or have a licence then you must keep a record of what you have found and what you have done.
You must have a clear plan of how to prevent fire and how you will keep people safe in case of fire. If you share a building with others, you need to coordinate your plan with them.
You need to make sure your staff know what to do in case of fire, and if necessary trained for their roles
Review
Keep your risk assessment under regular review.
Over time, the risks may change.
If you identify significant changes in risk or make any significant changes to your plan, you must tell others who share the premises and where appropriate re-train staff.
Please contact us for more information
Fire hazards
Fire starts when heat (source of ignition) comes into contact with fuel (anything that burns), and oxygen (air).
You need to keep sources of ignition and fuel apart.
Heaters, lighting, naked flames, electrical equipment, hot processes such as welding or grinding, cigarettes, matches and anything else that gets very hot or causes sparks.
Packaging, rubbish and furniture could all burn, just like the more obvious fuels such as petrol, paint, varnish and white spirit. Also wood, paper, plastic, rubber and foam dependant upon your work place.
Do your walls or ceilings have hardboard, chipboard, or polystyrene?
Who is at risk?
Everyone is at risk if there is a fire. The risk may be greater for some because of when or where they work, such as night staff, or because they’re not familiar with the premises, such as visitors or customers.
Children, the elderly or disabled persons are particularly at risk
Evaluate the risk
Considering what has been discovered above, evaluate this and remove or reduce the risk.
Could a source of heat or sparks fall, be knocked or pushed into something that would burn?
Take action to protect your people and premises.
Record, plan and train
Keep a record of any fire hazards and what you have done to reduce or remove them. If your premises are small, a record is a good idea.
If you have five or more staff or have a licence then you must keep a record of what you have found and what you have done.
You must have a clear plan of how to prevent fire and how you will keep people safe in case of fire. If you share a building with others, you need to coordinate your plan with them.
You need to make sure your staff know what to do in case of fire, and if necessary trained for their roles
Review
Keep your risk assessment under regular review.
Over time, the risks may change.
If you identify significant changes in risk or make any significant changes to your plan, you must tell others who share the premises and where appropriate re-train staff.
Please contact us for more information