Fire & Safety Services; Fire Risk Assessment

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The UK Government has significantly amended fire precautions regulations in this country to meet the requirements of the European Framework and Workplace Directives. These amendments have major importance to all employers. The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations as amended in December 1999 require that all employers now take a more active role in the fire safety of their employees and workplace. Key to this legislation is the requirement that employers undertake a risk assessment of the workplace to determine whether employees are adequately protected from the risk of fire.

As an employer, what are your new responsibilities for fire safety at work?

What if I already have a fire certificate?

Employers still have to carry out a fire risk assessment and if more than 5 persons are employed must make a written record and periodically review the results.

What are the key steps for carrying our a fire risk assessment?

Step 1 Assess workplace for hazards and evaluate

Step 2 Record you findings

Step 3 Action necessary fire safety improvements

Step 4 Instruct employees on fire safety and evacuation

Step 5 Review findings on a regular basis

What am I required to identify in the fire risk assessment?

Adequate means of detection and warning of Fire

Provision of appropriate fire fighting equipment

Adequate means of evacuation from the building

Provision for maintenance and testing of fire safety equipment

What if I am not the owner of the building?

As Employer you are responsible for carrying out the fire risk assessment in your workplace and identifying improvements.

Is this legislation linked to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974?

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 made provision for employers to carry out Risk Assessments for the safety of employees in the workplace and included provision for prevention of outbreak of fire in the workplace.

These new Fire Precaution (Workplace) Regulations complete the process of risk assessment within the workplace. Similarly the requirement to comply with these regulations is placed firmly on the Employer.

Am I legally obliged to undertake Fire Risk Assessment?

Just as with Health and Safety Risk Assessments, employers are required to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment and to action all findings.

What if I do nothing?

Fire Brigades are the enforcing authority for these Regulations. While prosecution would not be the first course of action it is worth noting that failure to comply is now a criminal offence and not a civil prosecution as with previous fire legislation.

How can Fire & Safety Services Fire Protection Services help me comply with these regulations?

We have a network of Fire Safety Advisers who will undertake Fire Safety Audits of your workplace and will identify whether your fire safety equipment meets current requirements and ensure it is regularly maintained.

Our Customer Training Department will undertake on site training of your employees to meet the legal requirements for training within the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations.

We can also offer you guidance on how to carry out your fire risk assessment

What if I share the building?

When undertaking the fire risk assessment you should consult with other occupiers of the building on all aspects of common concern.

What effect do these regulations have on my current fire safety equipment?

These Regulations do not intend that any employer reduced the current level of fire safety for the premises.

This is particularly important if there is an existing fire certificate under the Fire Precautions Act 1971

Where can I get information on how to carry out my Fire Risk Assessment?

The Home Office and Health and Safety executive have published Fire Safety-An Employer’s Guide which is available from the Stationery Office and HSE Books.