Fire Risk Assessment

The number of workplace fires in the UK has been steadily declining from almost 27,000 in 2001 to just over 10,000 in 2023. This reduction is predominantly thanks to an increase in workplace fire safety measures and regulations, such as a fire risk assessment. 

At Robinsons Facilities Services, our team of fire safety technicians are available across Yorkshire and the entire UK to carry out professional fire risk assessments on your premises.

Contact us today at 01423 226578 or send us an enquiry to get a free, no-obligation quote.

For further information on fire safety risk assessments from our experts, continue reading below.

What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire safety risk assessment is a process of identifying, evaluating, and taking action to control the risks arising from a fire in the workplace. This ranges from potential electrical issues to lightning strikes, and the protective and suppressive fire safety measures that should be put in place to help.

Fire Safety Risk Assessment Factors

The person responsible for completing the fire safety risk assessment will need to take into account a number of factors, including

• the layout of the building,
• the use of the building,
• the occupants of the building,
• specific equipment that could pose a fire risk, and
• fire safety legislation.

Fire Protection Systems

The risk assessment must outline any provision that is in place to prevent fire and the action plan in the case of a fire. This includes:

• fire detection and warning systems,
• fire fighting equipment, such as extinguishers provided on the premises,
• a fire evacuation plan, and
• any substances that could be affected by a fire, or be volatile in the event of a fire.

The purpose of the fire safety risk assessment is to identify any potential fire hazards and to take appropriate action to remove or reduce the risks.

Who Is Responsible for Completing a Fire Risk Assessment?

The government is clear on who is responsible for risk assessments in business or other non-domestic premises, and this can include:

• an employer,
• the owner,
• the landlord,
• an occupier, or
• anyone else with control of the premises, e.g., a facilities manager, building manager, managing agent or risk assessor.

Ensuring that you have a fire safety risk assessment completed by a competent person is crucial. If you have a business employing five or more people, you must also keep a written record of your risk assessment.

Fortunately, this isn’t a job that you have to undertake on your own. Help from professional fire risk assessors will ensure you have a thorough risk assessment.

Speak to a professional fire risk assessor today →

How Often Are Fire Safety Risk Assessments Needed?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, you must have an updated fire safety risk assessment. In extreme cases, this may mean annual checks.

In other cases, it may be that less frequent checks are required to see if your risk assessment is still up to scratch. However, with significant changes in the workplace, it is your duty to ensure that your risk assessment is still compliant and appropriate.

For instance, if you have made significant renovations to your premises, or have a different occupancy or new equipment installed, you may need to get a new or updated fire safety risk assessment.

Chat with our accredited fire professionals for guidance on all aspects of fire safety, including the fire risk assessment UK.

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Fire Risk Assessment Templates

You might have come across some fire safety risk assessment templates, as there are plenty of them out there providing a rough framework.

A fire risk assessment template is a pre-designed form or document that can be used to guide the process and ensure that necessary information is captured. Templates can vary in complexity and detail, but they typically include sections for

• identifying potential fire hazards,
• evaluating the level of risk associated with each hazard, and
• outlining the measures that your business can take to reduce or eliminate those risks.

Are Fire Safety Risk Assessment Templates Sufficient?

Using a generic fire safety risk assessment template can be a useful tool for owners of small businesses and property owners. They provide users with a consistent and thorough process that is suited to a wide range of building types. However, they’re not perfect.

A fire risk assessment checklist should be tailored to the specific property and the activities that take place there. A generic template can provide a useful starting point, but it should be customised to reflect the unique features and hazards of the property being assessed.

What’s more, it’s important to ensure that the person or team conducting the assessment has the necessary knowledge and expertise to identify and evaluate potential fire hazards. Handing your admin assistant a template to fill in is simply not going to cut it.

Fire Risk Assessment Yorkshire with Robinsons Facilities Services

Your fire safety risk assessment should inform other aspects of your fire safety, such as what equipment is in place to help suppress potential fires, such as sprinkler systems and extinguishers.

Get a fire risk assessment with Robinsons Facilities Services. Our expert technicians have decades of experience in all fire safety and protection services. We’ll work with you to create a completely bespoke plan to follow in the event of a fire in your building. Your tailored fire risk assessment will keep your building safe and compliant, ensuring everyone knows what to do if the alarm sounds. 

We offer a range of services across Yorkshire and the entire UK, including planned preventative maintenance, reactive repairs and emergency call-outs.

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