Fire Risk Assessment

A fire risk assessment is a structured examination of a premises, the potential fire hazards within it and the measures needed to protect people from fire.

For businesses, it forms an important part of managing workplace fire safety. Rather than simply producing a compliance document, an effective fire risk assessment should help you understand where fires could start, who could be affected and whether your existing fire precautions are appropriate.

In England and Wales, fire-safety duties for most non-domestic premises are primarily governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. ...

One of the most common questions businesses ask about fire safety is: how often does a fire risk assessment need to be reviewed?

There is a widespread assumption that every business must complete a new fire risk assessment once a year. In practice, there is no single universal annual reassessment interval that applies to every premises.

Instead, a fire risk assessment needs to be kept under review and updated when necessary so that it continues to reflect the premises, activities and risks.

If you're unfamiliar with what an assessment involves, our guide to what a fire risk assessment is and t...

Factories and warehouses can present very different fire risks from relatively straightforward offices or commercial premises.

Machinery, electrical equipment, manufacturing processes, packaging, high-level storage, vehicles, hot work and dangerous substances can all influence how a fire could start, spread and affect people.

A fire risk assessment for a factory or warehouse therefore needs to reflect the actual premises and operations rather than relying on a generic checklist.

For a broader explanation of the process, read our guide to what a fire risk assessment is and the five steps involv...