How to carry out Fire Risk Assessments

Veteran Fire Safety’s Fire Risk assessment approach is ideally suited to medium to high-risk businesses, or where there are not suitably qualified, trained, or experienced fire safety personnel within an organisation. All businesses (large and small) have the responsibility to carry out regular Fire Risk Assessments (FRA’s). If a business has 5 or more people working within a premises a written record of your Fire Risk Assessment must be kept. With our network of assessors, we are able to offer a comprehensive and consistent risk management service.

Veteran Fire Safety are proud to be a BAFE SP205 3rd party accredited company as a fire safety provider, certified to ensure quality and competence to help meet your fire safety obligations. We would always advise that you are using a competent provider by using a BAFE registered company.

In order to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment, we suggest following these key steps:

Fire Hazards

Fire is a chemical reaction involving heat, fuel, and oxygen, known as the "fire triangle." Heat ignites the fire, with sources like matches or electrical equipment. Fuel includes combustible materials such as wood, paper, or gasoline. Oxygen supports combustion. To prevent fires, keep ignition sources away from flammable materials and ensure safety measures are in place. Understand spontaneous combustion risks, where materials ignite without an external flame. Fire safety includes using extinguishers, smoke detectors, and alarms, along with regular inspections of electrical systems. Educating individuals about fire hazards and safe practices is crucial for preventing fire-related incidents. By separating ignition sources and fuel, we can reduce fire risks and enhance safety.

How could a fire start?

To mitigate fire hazards, consider various heat and ignition sources. Heaters, like space heaters and radiators, pose risks if not monitored near flammable materials.

Lighting, including incandescent and LED bulbs, generates heat, while decorative lights and candles add risks. Ensure proper installation and follow safety guidelines to prevent overheating. Naked flames from candles and gas stoves require caution near combustibles. Unattended flames or proximity to flammable objects increase risks. Electrical equipment can overheat and ignite materials if malfunctioning. Regularly inspect cords and outlets for damage to prevent sparks. Hot processes like welding produce heat and sparks, necessitating fire-resistant barriers, clear workspaces, and available extinguishing equipment. Proper training reduces risks. Cigarettes and matches can ignite materials. Designate smoking areas away from combustibles and provide disposal containers to mitigate risks. In summary, addressing fire risks involves understanding heaters, lighting, flames, electrical devices, hot processes, and common items like cigarettes. Proactive safety measures reduce fire incidents.

What could burn?

Packaging, rubbish, and furniture could all burn, just like the more obvious fuels such as petrol, paint, varnish, and white spirit. Also think about wood, paper, plastic, rubber, and foam. Do the walls or ceilings have hardboard, chipboard, or polystyrene? Check outside, too.

People at Risk

Everyone is at risk if there is a fire. Think whether the risk is greater for some because of when or where they work, such as night staff, or because they are not familiar with the premises, such as visitors or customers. Children, the elderly or disabled people are especially vulnerable.

Evaluate, and act

Reflect on the findings from steps 1 and 2 to analyse the fire risk within the premises. Consider factors like flammable materials, electrical wiring, heat-generating machinery, and building layout, including escape routes and emergency exits. Assess risks to individuals inside and nearby, noting occupancy, evacuation ability, and fire safety measures like alarms and extinguishers. Evaluate the potential impact on neighbouring buildings or areas if the fire spreads. This comprehensive assessment aids in developing effective prevention and response strategies.

Remove and reduce risk factors

Preventing accidental fires is crucial in any setting. To avoid fires, identify potential heat sources like toasters, heaters, and stoves, ensuring they are stable and away from flammable materials such as paper or cloth. Regularly inspect areas to maintain safe distances between heat sources and combustible items, like curtains or furniture. Ensure flammable materials are not near heat sources, like newspapers near a space heater, to prevent ignition. Use heat-resistant mats, keep electrical cords in good condition, and opt for flame-retardant materials. Regularly check smoke detectors and fire extinguishers for functionality. Awareness and proactive measures are key. Educate everyone on fire safety, conduct safety drills, and have a clear emergency plan. These precautions significantly reduce the risk of accidental fires.

Protect

Take action to protect your premises and people from fire. 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.

Plan

To manage fire safety effectively, create a clear plan detailing preventive measures and safety procedures. Start by assessing potential fire hazards, identifying ignition sources, flammable materials, and risky areas. Regular maintenance of electrical systems, heating equipment, and appliances is also crucial to reduce fire risks.

Establish clear, well-marked, and unobstructed evacuation routes for fire emergencies. Regular fire drills familiarize occupants with these routes and procedures. Training sessions educate on using fire extinguishers and responding calmly during a crisis.

When sharing a building, coordinate your fire safety plan with other tenants. This includes sharing fire hazard information, discussing evacuation procedures, and establishing a unified communication strategy for emergencies. Regular meetings ensure alignment and address concerns regarding fire safety.

Install and maintain fire safety equipment like smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and fire alarms. Ensure fire extinguishers are accessible and that tenants know their locations and usage for small fires.

Training

It is essential to ensure that your staff are fully aware of the procedures to follow in the event of a fire emergency. This includes not only understanding the immediate actions required, such as evacuating the building in a calm and orderly manner, but also knowing the specific roles they may need to fulfil during such an incident. Each staff member should be familiar with the designated escape routes and the location of fire exits, as well as the assembly points where everyone should gather after evacuating. Additionally, it is crucial to conduct regular fire drills to reinforce this knowledge and to help staff practice their responses in a controlled environment. Furthermore, training sessions should be organized to provide comprehensive instruction on fire safety protocols. This training should cover the proper use of fire extinguishers, the importance of not using elevators during a fire, and how to assist individuals with disabilities or those who may require additional support during an evacuation.

Reviewing risk assessments

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.

Our Assessors will draw on employee knowledge to help make your workplace safer and more compliant with current legislation.

We would welcome a conversation around how we might help you with your FRA and help implement improvements that ensure everyone’s safety.

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