When you have a fire risk assessment carried out on your premises, it would be useful to know what your assessor will be doing while they are there. Here is a step by step guide to what they will be doing during their visit.
The Initial Walk-Through
During the inspection of the premises the assessor will visit the entire site and inspect for any possible fire hazards. This includes checking for overloaded and damaged wiring and over used and damaged sockets. He or she will check that all fire exits are clear of blockages including stock and furniture and identify any stores of flammable products such as cleaning products and packaging materials. He or she will also identify any faulty extension leads and unauthorised portable heating appliances that could cause a fire and spread fire by being placed near combustible materials.
Who Might Be At Risk
The assessor will also take into account the people that may be in the building at the time of a fire and how the fire could affect them. For example, people working alone in isolated areas, visitors to the premises who may not be familiar with the layout, people with mobility problems, people with sensory impairment and so on. For example a large warehouse with a mezzanine floor would require a different approach to that of a small shop with just one exit.
Checking Existing Precautions
The existing measures to prevent and deal with a fire will also be checked. This will include fire alarm(s), fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, fire signs, fire doors and any fire partitioning (to stop the spread of fire). Each of these will be checked to see if they are sufficient to deal with a fire and if any need to be replaced, repositioned or additional ones purchased. See also Fire Risk Assessment Gloucester.
Writing Up The Findings
Significant findings from the assessment will be recorded and if you have five or more employees then this record must be in written format. The written record will detail the hazards found, the people at risk from those hazards and the actions needed to mitigate the risks found. The written record will also be part of your legal fire safety responsibilities as an employer and should be kept in a safe place and not lost in a file somewhere.
The Evacuation Plan
The assessor will outline the necessary steps to complete an Emergency Evacuation Plan (EEP). This plan will outline all of the escape routes from the premises and detail what action to take at each assembly point. It will also highlight who is responsible for checking various aspects of the premises, such as ensuring the toilets are empty of materials that could catch fire and also who will be responsible for assisting people with disabilities should they need to evacuate by way of alternative means.
Setting A Review Date
A date will also be set for the review of the fire risk assessment. This could be following significant changes to the premises or equipment, or at least annually for businesses based in Gloucester. The Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service website contains further advice on the review of fire risk assessments for employers.
Knowing what to expect from a Fire Risk Assessment and having a list of things to complete after the assessment has taken place helps to make the process less daunting for employers.
