A fire risk assessment covers ten areas, from how a fire could start to whether everyone could get out. Knowing them in advance makes the visit quicker and the report shorter. Here is what our assessors check and how you can prepare.
Why it matters
If you have control of a premises other than a dwelling house, section 18(2) of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 requires you to take all reasonable measures to guard against fire, provide fire safety measures and procedures, and keep people on the premises safe. Employers must also hold a written risk assessment under section 19 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. A fire risk assessment is how you put that into practice.
The 10-point checklist
- Sources of ignition. Electrical equipment, cooking, heating, smoking areas and hot works.
- Fuel and housekeeping. Stored stock, packaging, waste, flammable liquids and anything kept in escape routes.
- People at risk. Staff, visitors, residents, guests, lone workers and anyone who needs help to evacuate.
- Escape routes and exits. Are they wide enough, clear, unlocked and leading to a safe place?
- Emergency lighting and signage. Would people find the way out if the power failed?
- Fire detection and alarm. Is the system suitable for the building, and is it tested and serviced?
- Fire doors and compartmentation. Do doors close fully, and are walls and ceilings sealed where services pass through?
- Firefighting equipment. Are the right extinguishers in the right places and maintained?
- Training and drills. Do staff know what to do, and are evacuation drills carried out and recorded?
- Records. Is the fire safety register up to date with tests, servicing, training and drills?
How to prepare for the visit
- Have your fire safety register and service certificates to hand.
- Find the building drawings if you have them.
- Make sure the assessor can get into every room, including plant rooms, stores and roof spaces.
- Ask the person who manages the building day to day to be available.
- Note any recent changes to the layout, the use of the building or the number of people in it.
What you get afterwards
A good report does more than list problems. It ranks each finding by priority, explains the risk in plain English and tells you what to do about it. That lets you fix the urgent items first and plan the rest.
When to review your fire risk assessment
The law requires a review when there has been a significant change, or when there is reason to believe the assessment is no longer valid. Typical triggers are:
- building work or a change of layout
- a change in how the premises is used
- more people, or more vulnerable people, on site
- a fire or a near miss
Many businesses also review it every year as good practice.
Book a fire risk assessment
Safer Solutions carries out fire risk assessments for nursing homes, hotels, food processors and commercial premises across Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway. Call 086 275 9728, email info@safersolutions.ie or request a quote and we will arrange a visit.