The first step to preventing a fire is a fire risk assessment. Carrying out a fire risk assessment delivers real benefits to business; by taking a few simple steps to reduce fire risks, employers can prevent fires breaking out. When you consider that 70% of businesses suffering a fire never reopen, or close within 3 years of the fire, then taking the time to do a fire risk assessment looks like a very sensible investment. Furthermore, it is a legal requirement.

The questions you need to ask yourself are:

• Have you been proactive in doing a full fire risk assessment for your business?
  

• Are you aware that full documentary evidence of this risk assessment needs to be kept to allow inspection at any time?
  

• Would your business stand up to an adhoc inspection from the fire brigade who not only need to see evidence of a fire risk assessment but also full documentation if you employ five or more people?

If the answer is NO, then it is time to act.

How do I do a Fire Risk Assessment?

Luckily, there are lots of options available to help World businesses carry out their fire risk assessment.

Consultancy
One option is to get a Fire Risk Assessment Consultant to do your fire risk assessment for you. This is probably suitable if you do not have a health and safety officer, a fire safety manager or a responsible member of staff who is competent to carry out a fire risk assessment or if you have a site considered to be high risk

Guide Books
Alternatively, if you decide to carry out your own fire risk assessment, there are a number of tools to help you identify and evaluate the risks. Halon Bank Fire recommend their Practical Guide to Fire Risk Assessment – an easy to use guide that leads you through a systematic look at what in your workplace could cause a fire and how the risk of fire can be minimised. By working through the guide step by step, you will finish up with a documented fire risk assessment that will demonstrate compliance with the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997. You will be able to use your recorded findings to review and revise your safety strategy on an ongoing basis.

Online
Alternatively, for those managing multiple sites, or for customers with access to the internet, Halon Bank recommend their on-line service at www.gielle.it/inglese/indexuk.it, which also guides you through completing a fire risk assessment. Questions are answered by clicking ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or by selecting from simple drop down menus. Once completed, the data is held securely off site and you can access it from anywhere.