Sam Crudgington

Fire Risk Assessment from Total Safe UK Essex and the South EastAre you responsible for a building? If you are, it is important that you do all you can to reduce the risk of fire to keep everyone save. Fire Risk Assessments are not only your legal duty, but they make good business sense, and most importantly, can save lives.

What is a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA)?

In the simplest of terms, it is basically a careful look at your premises. As well as the people who use them. Both from a fire prevention perspective. Its all about understanding the potential risks posed to your premises. Then, it is about improving your fire safety precautions to keep these risks to a minimum to keep everyone safe.

Why carry out an Fire Risk Assessments?

If you are an employer, owner/occupier of premises that aren’t a ‘single private dwelling’ (private home), you need to complete an FRA. This duty to identify fire risks and hazards in your premises is a legal requirement.
If 5 or more people work at your premises, you will need a written record of your assessment too. As well as being a legal requirement, it’s good business sense. Effective fire prevention starts with properly understanding the risks.

Did you know….?

If there is a fire on your premises and you are found to have not met your legal duties to keep people safe, you could be fined and may even land yourself some time in prison. It is handy to read up on your legal obligations as an employer/owner.Fire Risk Assessment from Total Safe UK

Carrying out an FRA

Assessments are conducted in 5 key steps:

1. Identify the fire hazards
2. Identify people at risk
3. Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks
4. Record your findings
5. Review and update the FRA regularly

Who should be doing my FRA?

Large Complex Businesses: If your business is larger or more complex, it is best to contact and expert to come and help. At Total Safe, our responsibilities lie in making sure you have a thorough assessment and that no tiny detail is missed.

SME or Small Businesses: If your business or organisation is relatively small and potential risks are not complex, it is possible to do it yourself. Doing so, is a huge responsibility which can be quite daunting. Hiring a professional instead can alleviate this pressure and leave you with peace of mind that everything has been done to a professional standard and everyone on your premises is as safe as can be.

Who checks it?

If you are carrying out an FRA yourself, you should still have it checked over by a professional company like ourselves. If your assessment has not been carried out correctly and your premises are unsafe, or worse, you haven’t done an assessment at all, you are open to penalties.