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Fire Risk Assessments
The legislation regarding fire safety in all non-domestic
premises has changed. The Fire Safety Regulations (Northern
Ireland) 2010 came into effect on 15th November 2010.
This will give effect to EU Health and Safety directives and
bring Northern Ireland into line with England, Scotland and Wales.
The changes will mean that there will now be a risk based approach
to fire safety in non-domestic premises with the onus on self
compliance.
Existing premises that have previously been subject to the Fire
Certification process will most likely still be compliant in
terms of their fire safety measures. However, it will now be
necessary for those premises to have a current Fire Risk
Assessment. If there is an assessment already in place, then all
that should be required is a revision of that assessment taking
into account the wider scope of the new legislation.
Calbarrie can offer this Fire Risk Assessment at very
competitive rates.
Who will be responsible for fire safety?
The legislation will mean significant changes to the way in
which owners, employers and occupiers are required to manage fire
safety. Responsibility for fire safety in the workplace now clearly
rests with the 'appropriate person' - this is the employer or those
persons with any degree of control of premises.
What must the appropriate person do?
As the appropriate person you must take reasonable steps to
reduce the risk from fire and ensure people are able to escape
safely if there is a fire.
More specifically you must:
- Carry out a fire risk assessment for the premises over which
you have control;
- Put in place general fire precautions to deal with fire
risks;
- Develop and implement appropriate emergency procedures in the
event of fire;
- Record the significant findings of the risk assessment if you
have five or more employees, or require a licence or
registration;
- Co-operate with the other appropriate persons if your premises
are part of a multi-occupancy building and share the findings of
your fire risk assessment to ensure the safety of all persons who
use the building.
The Fire Risk Assessment
This can be defined as "an organised and methodical look at
premises, the activities carried on there, and the likelihood that
a fire could start and cause harm to those in and around the
premises".
Assessment is a five step process:
- Identify the hazards - sources of ignition such as naked
flames, heaters or some commercial processes
- Identify the people at risk - employees, visitors and members
of the public
- Protect from fire risk - remove or reduce any fire hazards
where possible and reduce any risks you have identified
- Record, plan, instruct, inform and train - record the
significant findings, have an appropriate emergency plan, inform,
instruct and train on the actions to be taken in the event of
fire
- Review the Fire Risk Assessment - at regular intervals or
whenever it is no longer valid, eg, after a significant incident or
"near miss"; or if there has been a major change in the
workplace
Do I need a specialist consultant?
In carrying out a risk assessment, the appropriate person may
decide that, given the nature of the premises or the people
involved, they do not have the necessary competence to complete
it. In that case, they could choose to appoint one or more
competent persons to assist him/her. Competent means that they
have had sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other
qualities to enable them to carry out the task.
