Minimising fire risks is an important part of managing properties and ensuring the safety of those who use them.
Fire risk assessments play a critical role in protecting lives and property, by identifying potential fire risks and making sure that essential safety measures are implemented to mitigate them.
If you manage or own a type of premises that must be assessed, having regular fire risk assessments isn’t just a moral obligation; it’s a legal one.
If the idea of fire risk assessments seems complicated or daunting, don’t worry! In this blog, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about the fire risk assessment process.
What is a fire risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment is a legal inspection which must be conducted by a qualified and experienced individual, to assess your premises from a fire risk perspective.
Fire safety risk assessments are a legal requirement in the UK; both to ensure the safety of buildings for use, and so that landowners and businesses can ensure that their properties are safe and compliant.
Who is responsible for completing a fire risk assessment?
According to the law, in a working environment or commercial property, the person responsible for arranging a fire risk assessment is the landlord, business manager, or employer.
A fire risk assessment must be conducted by a qualified and experienced assessor and should be reviewed and renewed at least annually – or if significant changes occur within the premises.
How often should fire risk assessments be reviewed?
As per legislation, fire risk assessments should be reviewed and renewed on a regular basis by a competent person – especially if significant changes occur within the premises.
This is an essential part of fire safety precautions, as it helps to prevent fires and ensure the safety of people and property in the long term.
What are the legal requirements for fire risk assessments?
Compliance with legal requirements for fire safety is mandatory if your business or property falls into any of these categories:
- An employer or self-employed with business premises.
- A landlord responsible for business premises.
- A landlord of a house of multiple occupancy (HMO).
- Premises providing accommodation for paying guests.
- Premises open to the public and consumers.
- Charities, places of worship, and voluntary organisations.
- Educational buildings, nurseries, schools, and colleges.
- Medical facilities and care homes.
- Residential property with communal or shared areas.
This legislation aims to reduce death, injury, and damage to property, so that employees, residents, and the public can use a building or premises without the risk of fire.
Professional fire risk assessments are designed to identify fire hazards, people potentially at risk, and review hazards so that they can be removed or reduced.
The law also requires you to record any fire risk findings and create an emergency plan for evacuations. You must also review and update your assessment regularly, as mentioned above.
Failure to comply with legal requirements can result in a fine and, in some cases, up to 2 years in prison, so it’s essential to conduct fire risk assessments to make sure you stay compliant.
For more information and advice on following fire safety legislation, read our essential guide here!
How much does a fire risk assessment cost?
The cost of conducting a fire risk assessment can vary depending on the size of your premises. We offer competitive and transparent prices, starting from £400+VAT for buildings up to 2,000 sq ft.
Buildings between 2,000-5,000 sqft start at £425, and buildings up to 10,000 sqft start at £480. Buildings over 10,000 sqft will require a specialised quote – contact us now to get yours for free!
Protect people and property with FireRiskAssessments.com
When it comes to fire safety, you should never cut corners.
We at FireRiskAssessments.com understand how crucial proper fire risk assessments are for protecting people and property alike.
Our expert team of fire risk assessors serve in ensuring the safety of employees, occupants, and premises. With a professional fire risk assessment from us, we help you to ensure that you meet all legal requirements and eliminate any unforeseen risks.
So, don’t wait until a fire emergency happens to take action – get in touch with FireRiskAssessments.com to get a free, tailored quote and secure your professional risk assessment today!