Ensuring your business is safe from fire is a responsibility, and fire risk assessments are the way to do so. People have a lot of confusion about conducting a fire risk assessment in London; today we will clear up one part of it.
Many people are wondering if they can do their own fire risk assessment. The answer can be yes or no, making it more confusing. Stick with us, and we will help make it less confusing.
According to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) anyone who is “competent” can conduct the FRA. But that’s the wrinkle: how can you be sure that you are that “competent” person? Regarding FRAs it is always a good idea to have someone with training and expertise conduct it to ensure your business is fully fireproof.
Our checklist on fire risk assessment in London should make it easier for you to determine if you are someone who can conduct it.
What Is A Fire Risk Assessment?
A fire risk assessment is an inspection of a building or workplace to determine if it’s at risk of fire. The assessment basically checks the building and workplace for fire risks. It is a very important assessment that’s required by law in London and surrounding areas.
The Fire Safety Order (FSO) states that any building with two or more homes and workplaces needs a fire risk assessment in London. The FSO also states that a single person who is in charge, like the owner or landlord, needs to do the assessment and write down the findings. This person will be called the responsible person.
The Fire Safety Act 2021 included new regulations that informed the responsible person on what needs to be checked. The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and the Building Safety Act 2022 include more rules that the responsible person needs to know and follow.
Why Is A Fire Risk Assessment In London Necessary?
Aside from ensuring you are following the laws and keeping everyone safe, you should conduct FRA in London for other reasons. Here are some of those reasons:
- Know About Fire Risks: No building is very truly fireproof. There is always something or someplace that’s vulnerable to fire. With a proper FRA, you will know which areas are at risk of fires and take the correct approach to fix it.
- Keep The Building Safe: Knowing which areas of the building are at risk of fire will ensure you follow the right steps to fix it. A thorough FRA will also help you determine what you need to do to protect the building from fires. You will know where to install fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and fire-resistant materials.
- Training Others In Fire Safety: A FRA doesn’t just inspect the building for fire risk. It also checks if the tenants know what to do in case of a fire. The inspection will ensure the people in the building know about things like evacuation routes, emergency exits, and procedures.
- Following The Law: Lastly, fire risk assessment in London is something that’s required by law. FSO 2005 and other such laws have made it mandatory for buildings of certain heights and occupancy to conduct regular FRAs.
You might check out this guide as well as a London property owner.
Can You Do Your Own Fire Risk Assessment In London?
We have now come to the part of this article where we must answer, “Can you do your own fire risk assessment in London?” Again, the answer is both yes and no. There aren’t any laws or regulations that forbid you from conducting your own FRA in London. But you need to know that an FRA is a big responsibility. The responsible person, usually the company boss, homeowner, or landlord, is tasked with conducting the fire risk assessment.
As a responsible person, we recommend that you only do your own fire risk assessment in London if the property is small. This is because a smaller business or property is easier to inspect, thus reducing the chance of missing something crucial. On the other hand, for bigger properties and businesses, we highly recommend you go to the professionals.
Businesses such as ours have highly risked inspectors who can and do conduct fire risk assessments in London for complex buildings. We can ensure that your building has the least chance of fires at affordable prices.
What Happens In A Fire Risk Assessment In London?
Now that you know better how to do your own fire risk assessment In London, we need to know what you must do. To make the assessment easier, we will now share a checklist covering all the key areas and details. So here is what you need to do during a FRA:
Fire Hazards
Did you find things that could start a fire? Did you find things that could burn? How could a fire begin? Remember to check heaters, lights, and electrical stuff. Also, think about smoking and matches. Remember hot things like welding and grinding.
People at risk
Who might be in danger from fire? Who might be in even more danger? Consider night workers or folks who don’t know the place, like visitors. Kids, old folks, or people with disabilities are extra at risk.
Evaluate and act
Did you check for dangers at work? Are there enough ways to escape? Did you plan how to get out safely? Can people find their way out in the dark? Do you need a fire alarm? Should you put up signs, like fire exit signs? Do you need lights for emergencies? Should you have fire extinguishers, and where? Did you keep fire starters away from fuel? Are people safe if there’s a fire? Do you have a fire plan? Who will call for help if there’s a fire? Could you stop a small fire from getting bigger?
Record, plan, and train
Did you make a plan for what to do if there’s a fire? Do all your workers know the plan? Did everyone get trained and do a fire drill? Did you include new workers in the plan? Are you keeping everything safe from fire? Make a plan to fix fire dangers.
This plan lists what to do, in order, and when to do it.
Think about getting rid of dangers or making them safer.
Review
Check your assessment often.
Update it if things change.
Review it if you make big changes. Have you changed the building since last time? Did you have a fire or close call? Did your stock levels change a lot? Are you storing chemicals or risky stuff now?
Read More: How Often Should You Review Fire Risk Assessments
Conclusion
Can you do your own fire risk assessment in London? You can if you have a small property or business. However, we highly recommend All Landlord Certificates‘s fire risk assessment services for professional inspection and recommendations for those with offices in large buildings.
If you are a responsible person, then our fire risk assessment checklist, which our expert inspectors follow, should make the process easier. Whether you are doing it yourself or getting help, ensuring your business or workplace is fire-safe should always be a priority.
