Fire Risk Assesment
What is Required?
Under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, anyone who has control of premises or who has a degree of control over certain areas or systems may be designated a ‘responsible person’ (eg. an employer, a managing agent, an owner, an occupier or any other person who has some control over all or part of relevant premises).
The ‘responsible person’ is required to:
Instruct a competent body to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment identifying the risks and hazards, and create a Fire Log Book.
Report on who is considered to be especially at risk.
Put in place plans and actions to eliminate or reduce the risk from fire as far as is reasonably practical, and provide general fire precautions to deal with any residual risk.
Take additional measures to ensure fire safety where flammable or explosive materials are used or stored.
Create a detailed plan to deal with any emergency and, in most cases, document the findings.
Review the findings, as necessary, and update the Fire Log Book.
The legislation applies to virtually all premises and covers nearly every type of building, structure and open space, for example:
Offices and shops
Premises that provide Care
Pubs, clubs and restaurants
Hotels and hostels
Factories and warehouses
Although organisations are not specifically required to produce a fire safety policy, it is considered to be good practice. A fire safety policy should clearly identify the approach to Fire Safety within a property, including for example, providing commitment to train staff and maintenance of fire fighting equipment.
