Fire Risk Assessment

Comprehensive Fire Risk Assessment

Fire has the potential to kill but also injure people in several ways. People can be injured from the effects of heat and smoke. Severe burns and inhalation of heated air can scorch the lining of the lungs and heat stroke can result in people collapsing and becoming trapped inside buildings during evacuations. Smoke may contain toxic gases and fuel particles which when inhaled could cause the person to become asphyxiated.

Fires can also cause injury to people as a result of escaping and evacuation. This may include crushing injuries, being injured by flying broken glass or even from collapsing structures. Fires can cause both physical, emotional and psychological injuries.

A fire risk assessment is simply a logical and organised way to examine your premises and any activities that are carried out within to determine whether a fire could start (the likelihood) and if so what the potential level of harm (severity) to persons or property is.

The risk assessment process involves an inspection of the premises to identify potential fire hazards, to ensure adequate measures to stop fire starting and that adequate fire protection measures are in place to protect everyone in the building.

Objectives of fire risk assessment:

  1. To identify fire hazards and people at risk.
  2. To remove or reduce the risk of those hazards causing harm to as low as is reasonably practicable.
  3. To determine what fire safety measures and management policies are necessary to ensure the safety of people in the building should a fire occur.
  4. Reduce the probability of a fire starting.
  5. Limiting the effects should a fire occur.

A fire risk assessment should take into consideration the following factors:

  1. Emergency routes and exits
  2. Fire detection and warning systems
  3. Fire fighting equipment
  4. The removal or safe storage of dangerous substances
  5. An emergency fire evacuation plan
  6. The needs of vulnerable people, for example the elderly, young or those with disabilities
  7. Providing information to employees and other people on the premises
  8. Staff fire safety training