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FIRE, SAFETY & SECURITY
What is a fire risk assessment, and how does it work?
There are few nightmare scenarios more frightening than a fire. Whether it be a residential dwelling or business
premises, anyone responsible for a building must ensure that the necessary steps are taken to maximise safety. Carlsson Elkins, marketing and specification director at Sertus elaborates
T
his means both the danger of a fire happening in the first place, as well as the prospect of it damaging property or causing harm to people. And that’s where fire risk
assessments come in.
A legal obligation Legally mandated in many cases, this type of evaluation examines the factors that could potentially lead to a fire. These can include combustible walls, exposed electrics, and materials in need of refurbishment. It provides recommendations on how to improve fire safety, while also assessing the likelihood of a fire occurring in the building. These findings are then usually shared with tenants to enhance its impact. If the building has five or more people, a written record of it must be kept.
The assessment should be carried out continuously, however, the legal text does not provide specific recommended intervals. We advise that low-rise newbuilds will be reviewed every two years, while buildings more than three storeys high should be checked annually.
Responsible person
A fire risk assessment is within the scope of responsibility of the person in charge of the building, usually the owner. However, that doesn’t mean that the landlord should be the one physically conducting it. In fact, most owners lack the knowledge and expertise to properly run a fire risk assessment, and because it’s such a vital element of any building, many choose to delegate this to a ‘competent person’ like a professional. That said, legally, anyone can carry out this obligation as long as they consult with standard fire safety risk assessment guides.
Types of fire risk assessment
While fire risk assessments are needed in most, if not all, buildings, different structures require other types of evaluation. These differ based on where the assessment takes place (in communal zones only or also in private areas), as well as whether the test should include an element of destructive sampling (for example, when the assessor needs access to the area behind a wall). Type 1 is the most common, appraising only communal zones in a non-destructive way. Type 2 will be the destructive version, whereas type 3 and 4 will include private areas too, in a non-destructive and destructive way respectively. Types 2, 3, and 4 will only be necessary if there is either suspected structural deficiencies or if there is some uncertainty regarding the safety of flats within a building.
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How to conduct a fire risk assessment
A proper fire risk assessment must consider every element of the building, and can be divided into a few steps. First, there is the identification stage. You’ll need to determine potential fire hazards and people at risk. Then, an analysis phase begins. During this part, the assessor evaluates the dangers, and concludes how to remove or reduce them. If possible, at this point they will take practical actions to ensure the removal or reduction of any hazards. The final leg of a fire risk assessment is the administrative tasks. These include recording your findings and preparing an emergency plan. What’s more, assessors usually like to use this phase to consider whether further training is needed, and, if so, take the steps to ensure provision. The practice has to be reviewed, updated and repeated regularly, ensuring the emergency evacuation plan is sufficient and that the building hasn’t deteriorated since the last assessment.
Inclusive and thorough
In the process of the assessment, you’ll need to keep an eye on different parts of the building, namely, emergency routes and exits, firefighting equipment, and fire detection systems. It’s also worthwhile to consider the removal or safe storage of dangerous or combustible substances. Of course, an excellent fire risk assessment will need to pay particular attention to the needs of vulnerable people in the building — such as disabled people, the elderly, and young children. Although fire risk assessments may sound like a technical part of fire safety, they are paramount to the effective protection from serious damage. Make sure you’re giving it the appropriate attention for happy and healthy dwellers.
TYNEHAM
AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMP
Let’s discuss your low carbon future
01202 662500
enquiries@hamworthy-heating.com
hamworthy-heating.com
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BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JUNE 2022 19
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