Question 1

How often should I carry out a fire risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

A fire risk assessment should be carried out at regular intervals usually specified in the previous fire risk assessment or when changes take place in the premises. Most enforcing authorities expect an annual revision of the initial fire risk assessment in normal risk premises.

Question 2

What should my fire risk assessment cover?

Accepted Answer

The aims of the fire risk assessment are:

• To identify the fire hazards
• To reduce the risk of those hazards causing harm to as low as reasonably practicable
• To decide what physical fire precautions and management arrangements are necessary to ensure the safety of people in your premises if a fire does start.

Question 3

What happens in a fire risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

A fire risk assessment is an organised and methodical look at your premises, the activities carried on there and the likelihood that a fire could start and cause harm to those in and around the premises.

Question 4

What is a fire risk assessment and why do I need one for my organisation?

Accepted Answer

A fire risk assessment is an organised and methodical look at your premises, the activities carried on there, and the likelihood that a fire could start and cause harm to those in and around the premises.

UK Fire Law requires fire precautions to be put in place 'where necessary' and to the extent that it is reasonable and practicable in the circumstances of the case. The responsible person must arrange for a fire risk assessment to be carried out and it must focus on the safety in case of fire of all 'relevant persons'.

Question 5

Do I need to employ someone to carry out the fire risk assessment for me or can I do it myself?

Accepted Answer

Fire Authorities expect that a competent person carries out the fire risk assessment in more complex premises. Simple premises may be risk assessed using the guidance set out in fire guides. You also have the option to be trained in how to carry out fire risk assessments.

Question 6

Whose responsibility is it to make my organisation premises compliant?

Accepted Answer

The person who has control of the premises. In Scotland they are referred to as 'The Duty Holder', in England and Wales they are referred to as 'The Responsible Person' and in Northern Ireland they are referred to as 'The Person with Responsibility'.

Question 7

Does fire safety law apply to my organisation?

Accepted Answer

Yes unless you are self-employed and do not have any employees working for you.

Question 8

Does my organisation need fire wardens?

Accepted Answer

Yes. UK fire law requires that persons are appointed to assist in fire duties. It is recommended that a fire warden and deputy be appointed for each storey exit of a premises.

Question 9

How often do I need to train my fire wardens?

Accepted Answer

Your fire risk assessment should detail the frequency of training for fire wardens as this can depend upon the level of risk at the premises, staff turnover and changes to the business. Usually training is held between 1-3 yrs maximum and should be detailed in company fire safety procedures.

Question 10

What sort of fire training does my organisation's staff need?

Accepted Answer

Staff training is required on induction, fire awareness for the workforce, fire wardens and fire managers in organisations.

Question 11

What training do fire wardens require?

Accepted Answer

Fire guides state that fire wardens' duties include:

• Helping those on the premises to leave
• Checking the premises to ensure everyone has left
• Using fire-fighting equipment if safe to do so
• Liaising with the fire and rescue service on arrival
• Shutting down vital or dangerous equipment
• Performing a supervisory/managing role in any fire situation

Training for this role may include:

• Detailed knowledge of the fire safety strategy of the premises
• Awareness of human behaviour in fires
• How to encourage others to use the most appropriate escape route
• How to search safely and recognise areas that are unsafe to enter
• The difficulties that some people, particularly if disabled, may have in escaping and any special evacuation arrangements that have been pre-planned
• Additional training in the use of fire-fighting equipment
• An understanding of the purpose of any fixed fire-fighting equipment such as sprinklers or gas flooding systems
• Reporting of faults, incidents and near misses.

Your Q & A

Fire Risk Assessments

Responsibilities & Compliance

Fire Wardens & Training

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