At SAMS, we are proud to have a highly qualified Fire Risk Assessment team with a combined experience of almost 40 years. Each of our Fire Risk Assessors holds the respected NEBOSH Fire qualification and FPA (Fire Protection Association) qualifications, giving them the latest knowledge and insights to identify hazards, and provide relevant fire safety advice.
Our Fire Risk Assessors in Kent & London will work with your business to assess your premises at a time and in a manner that suits you, with minimal disruption and maximum results. Navigating your site, we will identify potential risks and hazards in the working environment, and the potential for working practices to cause or exacerbate them, as well as the people who could be at risk.
In combination with this, we’ll also evaluate your existing fire safety policies, and the measures your business has put in place to limit fire risks, and to respond correctly in the event of a fire. Following this, we will highlight potential areas for improvement based upon any hazards or gaps in your current controls, and suggest how these can be rectified.
If you’re looking for a fire risk assessment specifically for your holiday let click here. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO), conducting a fire risk assessment for holiday let properties is a legal requirement. Coupled with the new fire regulations coming into force on the 1st October 2023, it is now more important than ever to prioritise fire safety as a holiday let owner.
To learn more about our Fire Risk Assessments in Kent & London and to arrange a site visit, contact us by email, contact form, phone, or our new chatbox feature at the bottom right of the page.
What is a Fire Risk Assessment?
A Fire Risk Assessment is for anyone who wants to protect the safety of residents, visitors or employees at their workplace. When booking with SAMS, we will provide a thorough assessment of fire risk at your premises and make cost effective and reasonable recommendations, which will allow your business or organisation to meet the requirements of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – thereby making your business a safer working environment.
When there is a risk of fire, the responsible person in charge must understand and manage the key issues in general site fire safety. This means being capable of having regular fire risk assessments, having a means of escape for themselves/workers and/or the public, and understanding how to handle the means of fighting fire.
How to conduct a Fire Risk Assessment
While you should always employ a qualified professional to conduct a fire risk assessment, here is a rundown of the work we do, including how to identify hazards and possible sources of ignition:
- Identify and analyse all significant hazards, evaluating the risks from these hazards to ensure the premises meet all legal requirements. These hazards can include any sources of ignition, sources of fuel and/or sources of oxygen, i.e. oxidising agents, gas cylinders or piped oxygen.
- Identify any worker(s) around the premises at all times that would be at risk if a fire were to break out.
- Identify anyone other than workers that could be at risk, such as members of the public or visitors. For example, anyone that could be driving or walking around the premises at any given time.
- Evaluate any existing controls, checking whether they are satisfactory, and plan to act accordingly. By evaluating the risks, you are considering the likelihood of consequences, and the adequacy of all the existing measures in place. Make sure to identify all structural features that could increase the spread of fire. Plan how to implement these additional control measures if needed.
- Record any findings, whether good or bad (Record, Plan, Inform, Train and Review). Include actions that have been taken to reduce fire, and what action needs to be implemented. Inform managers, site supervisors and/or workers that may require additional work practices. Issue new instructions to workers immediately if needed, and ensure correct safety regulations are applied.
Fire safety information and resources
If you want to find out if you have had the correct fire risk assessments done in the past, and/or want to make sure your workplace is safe, here are some sources of information that can help to guide you through this process. We recommend you call, email or use our new live chatbox if you require any assistance.
- Legislation: RRFSO 2005 and DSEAR 2002 and their accompanying guidance.
- Information from community and local government practical fire safety guidance
- Pre-existing fire plans
- Previous fire risk assessments
- Appliances risk records
- Maintenance/inspection records on electrical equipment/installations
- Fire logbook
- Records of previous fire incidents
- Visitor records
- Fire precaution checks, i.e fire alarm checks, fire signs, fire exits, portable fire-fighting equipment and emergency lighting
- Workers’ training records.
- Summary of regulations
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to all non-domestic premises in England and Wales. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into effect in October 2006, replacing over 70 pieces of fire safety law. The order applies to the common parts of blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
This legislation applies to you if you are:
- Responsible for business premises
- An employer or self-employed person with business premises, including rented premises and House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO)
- A charity or voluntary organisation
- A contractor with a degree of control over any premises
- Managing a construction site or outside event.
Under the regulations, the responsible person has a responsibility to carry out a fire safety risk assessment and implement and maintain fire safety measures.
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Interested in booking a Fire Risk Assessment, or want more information about our services? Get in touch via our contact page, or check out our consultancy membership packages for ongoing support!
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