Fire Risk Assessment

Do I need one?

Fire risk assessments are a legal requirement for all businesses regardless of size.  A fire risk assessment is an organised look at what in your work activities and workplace could harm people, which people could be harmed and the steps taken to reduce the risk to those people.  Griffin Fire carry out fully professional fire risk assessments for all types and sizes of building. This is a cost-effective way for employers to satisfy their legal and insurer obligations under the Regulatory Reform Order (RRO) 2005.

Why have it?

The RRO makes fire risk assessments a legal requirement for all places of work (even one person). If there are five or more employees then the assessment must be in writing.  The fire risk assessment must be carried out by a 'competent person'. The first step is to appoint a 'responsible person'. He or she will then follow a logical process to identify any hazards, if possible eliminate them or reduce the risk of the hazard causing harm. Griffin Fire can do this on the owner's behalf

The 'Responsible' Person

The ‘Responsible Person‘ in a workplace is the employer and any other person who may have control of any part of the premises, eg the occupier or owner. The ‘Responsible Person’ has a legal duty to carry out a fire risk assessment which focuses on the safety of all 'relevant persons' in case of fire. This will identify hazards and assess the associated risk.

'Competent' Persons

A ‘competent person’ is someone with 'enough training and experience or knowledge and other qualities to be able to implement these measures properly'. This is usually achieved through third party accreditation eg BAFE.  Griffin Fire are fully third party accredited through BAFE.

Hazard vs Risk

A 'hazard' is something which has the potential to cause harm.

A 'risk' is the chance or likelihood of that harm occurring.

The purpose of the fire risk assessment is to identify any hazards, determine the level of risk and then aim to eliminate or reduce the risk.