Regulations make it compulsory to assess all workplaces for fire risks. After the initial assessment there is no fixed period to review it, but many businesses review fire risk assessments at yearly intervals. A business should designate an employee to continually monitor fire risks.
If there are changes to the workplace buildings or the number of employees increases, then a business must assess how this affects fire risks. Changes such as constructing mezzanine floors, adding warehouse shelving, or changing the layout of office furniture could all have fire risk implications. Even significantly increasing stock levels in storage areas could require a change to existing fire prevention measures.
If a business employs their first disabled worker, they may need to provide extra safety measures such as installing ramps that make evacuating the building easier.
Although the regulations say that fire risks assessments need to be made by “competent persons” there is no strict definition of who is a “competent person”. Many businesses prefer to use an outside risk assessor who has professional safety qualifications and is trained in fire safety.
Fire risk assessments consider many factors including the use of safety signs, situations where hazardous material cabinets are needed to store flammable substances, checking fire extinguishers, testing fire exits and fire alarms. A written record for each assessment is required. If any amendments to a previous risk assessment are made, then this needs to be noted. Competent fire risk assessments protect the safety of your workers.
