Fire Risk Assessment
ETS has considerable experience in the field of fire risk assessment and is ideally placed to assist commercial businesses and those responsible for residential property to fulfil their legal obligations. A fire risk assessment is carried out to identify the risks to fire safety to any person arising out of, or in connection with, work or the conduct of their undertaking. The assessment should identify how the fire risks arise and how they impact on those affected. This information is needed to make decisions on how to manage those risks encouraging management made in an informed, rational and structured manner, and the action taken is proportionate to the risk.
At ETS we advocate the Health and Safety Executives five step approach to risk assessment:
1. Identify the hazards
2. Identify the people at risk
3. Evaluate the risk and decide on precautions
4. Record the findings and implement actions
5. Review the risk assessment and update if necessary
The assessment examines:sources of ignition, sources of fuel, fire detection and warning, means of escape, fire protection measures, risks posed by the work of others, means of fighting fire and fire safety management.
Legal Requirements:
A fire risk assessment is a requirement of Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The Order defines the Responsible Person as someone who has control, or a degree of control, over premises or fire prevention systems within a premises. Responsible Persons must ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is undertaken and that the assessment is regularly reviewed.
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 came into force on 23rd January 2023. The regulations introduce new duties under the Fire Safety Order for building owners and managers for residential premises. The regulations require Responsible Persons in multi-occupied residential buildings which are high-rise, as well as those below 18m in height to provide additional safety measures.