Whether you are responsible for an office, retail outlet, or warehouse, it’s essential to protect your building and keep the people within it safe from fire.
The best way to identify potential issues and determine how to safeguard your building is through a comprehensive fire risk assessment.
Keep reading to find out more about commercial fire risk assessments, what they entail, and how Hawkesworth can keep you safe.
What is a commercial fire risk assessment?
A commercial fire risk assessment (or workplace fire risk assessment) is a report conducted to determine the fire risk of a property.
This assessment is conducted in five steps:
- Identify fire hazards. For example, electrical hazards, flammable materials, heat sources, and poor housekeeping practices
- Identify people at risk. For example, older people, people with disabilities, and visitors who might not know the building layout
- Evaluate risks, look at what can be done to reduce or remove issues and identify who is responsible
- Record findings and consider fire safety opportunities for staff
- Review and update the fire risk assessment at a later date
It’s important to remember that like no two commercial premises are alike, no two fire risk assessments will be alike. What might be considered acceptable for one workplace may not be acceptable for another.
What things might you need to consider in a workplace fire risk assessment?
Specific things to consider include:
- Emergency lighting and emergency exits
- Fire alarms and fire detection systems
- Fire evacuation plans, fire escape routes, and the identification of people at risk
- Fire extinguishers and fire blankets
- Fire safety training and drills
- Smoking areas
- The condition of electrical equipment and installations
- The condition and layout of the building
- The location of signage
- The storage of flammable materials
Is a commercial fire risk assessment a legal requirement?
Yes. A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement if you own a commercial property, regardless of the size of the business.
If you are found guilty of endangering the life of employees or building visitors, you could be liable for a fine or prison sentence. Your business may also be shut down until you put things right.
This fire risk assessment must be written down if you have more than five employees. However, we recommend writing it down even if you have fewer than five employees, as it provides evidence that you have identified hazards and made efforts to put them right.
How often should a commercial fire risk assessment be carried out?
There isn’t a specific commercial fire risk assessment frequency. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 says a fire risk assessment should be ‘reviewed by the responsible person regularly so as to keep it up to date’.
We recommend reviewing your workplace fire risk assessment once a year, as well as if your circumstances change. For example:
- There is a change in business activity
- There are changes to the building’s layout
- Staff numbers change significantly
- You hire a potentially vulnerable person
- There has been a fire, or fire safety equipment is stolen, replaced, or damaged
Who is responsible for getting a commercial fire risk assessment done?
Responsibility falls to the person who owns the building.
This responsibility can be delegated to a duty holder, who can be anyone in the company. They can then do the fire risk assessment themselves or delegate it to someone else.
Who can carry out a workplace fire assessment?
The person carrying out your workplace fire assessment must be ‘competent’. This means they understand the danger of fire hazards and what needs to be done to make things right.
This means you can carry out a commercial fire risk assessment yourself if you have the knowledge and skills to do so. There are guides online that provide more information.
Alternatively, you can hire a fire risk assessment company like Hawkesworth to carry out the assessment on your behalf.
Do you need to carry out a commercial fire risk assessment for an empty building?
Yes, you must conduct commercial fire risk assessments even if the building is vacant. This is because there is still a risk of fire.
Do you need to take special measures if you work in a historic building?
If you work in a listed building or other historic building, we recommend using a fire risk assessor with experience working in historic buildings.
This is because these types of buildings may have architectural features that need to be specially assessed.
Hawkesworth: your number one choice for fire risk assessments in the workplace
A workplace fire risk assessment is essential for all businesses, regardless of industry or size.
If you need help developing a thorough commercial fire risk assessment, we’re here to support you.
Our team of experienced, accredited fire risk assessors operate all across the UK and will compile a detailed assessment, looking at every facet of your business.
Creating a fire risk assessment for your commercial property shouldn’t be a challenge. Save time, resources, and ensure peace of mind with us.
Contact us today and see how simple fire risk assessments can be.
