The Fire Safety Order 2005 requires most premises to have a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA). This includes businesses, shops, offices, factories, schools, hospitals, care homes, and even some residential buildings.
You can conduct the FRA yourself if you are competent to do so. This means you have the necessary knowledge and experience to identify fire hazards, assess the risks, and implement appropriate fire safety measures.
If you are unsure whether you are competent to carry out the assessment yourself, you can hire a qualified fire safety professional to do it for you.
The consequences of not having a FRA or having one that is not suitable or sufficient can be severe. You could be fined, prosecuted, or even imprisoned. In the event of a fire, a lack of adequate fire safety measures could put lives at risk.
Here are some of the specific consequences of not having a fire risk assessment:
- You could be fined up to £20,000.
- You could be prosecuted and imprisoned for up to two years.
- In the event of a fire, you could be held liable for any injuries or deaths that occur.
- Your insurance company may not cover you for fire damage if you do not have a FRA.
It is important to note that the Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to all premises, regardless of their size or type. Even small businesses and homes can be subject to the requirements of the Order.
Furthermore:
Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) makes a number of amendments to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) to improve fire safety in all buildings regulated by the FSO. These improvements form Phase 3 of the Home Office’s fire safety reform programme, building on Phase 1 (the Fire Safety Act 2021) and Phase 2 (the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022).
Phase 3 further strengthens fire safety in all FSO regulated premises by:
- Enhancing Cooperation and Coordination Between Responsible Persons: improving cooperation and coordination between Responsible Persons (RPs)
- Enhancing Cooperation and Coordination Between Responsible Persons: increasing requirements in relation to the recording and sharing of fire safety information thus creating a continual record throughout a building’s lifespan
- Facilitating Enforcement Action for Non-Compliance: making it easier for enforcement authorities to take action against non-compliance
- Providing Residents with Comprehensive Fire Safety Information: ensuring residents have access to comprehensive information about fire safety in their building
In essence, the Fire Safety Act 2021 and related legislation have reinforced the importance of FRA as a crucial tool for ensuring the safety of occupants in buildings.
By conducting regular and thorough assessments, Responsible Persons can identify potential hazards, implement preventive measures, and reduce the risk of fire incidents.
If you are unsure whether you need a FRA or whether you are competent to carry one out yourself, contact us for advice
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Legal Requirements: Businesses and building owners are legally obligated to conduct FRA and keep them up to date. A review can ensure compliance with these regulations.
Changes in Fire Safety Standards: Fire safety regulations and standards can change over time. A review can help identify any necessary updates to your fire safety measures.
Overall, a FRA review is a proactive measure to ensure the safety of your building and its occupants. It can help assess the effectiveness of your existing fire safety measures, and implement necessary improvements to reduce the risk of fire and minimize its impact.
We will check (FOC – no obligation, no catches – you can take our response back to your provider):
- You have one in a suitable format.
- Sufficient to regulations.
- Linked to your fire strategy.
