| A good Fire Risk Assessment Form will help to | | | | risks identified. In practice it is what we should all |
| guide you through the process and make it easier | | | | have been doing anyway, but it puts this into a |
| to ensure that you properly consider each stage | | | | formal structure to help ensure it is done in a |
| that you need to go through. The other important | | | | consistent way. |
| function of the form is to provide a record of the | | | | There are many professional fire safety experts |
| fact that you have carried out the fire risk | | | | happy to undertake your assessment for you, |
| assessment and record the details of what you | | | | but unless you have a particularly complicated or |
| find and any action you need to take. Recording | | | | specialised premises, you can probably carry out |
| this information in writing is a legal requirement for | | | | the assessment yourself. Free detailed help on |
| any business employing five or more staff. | | | | how to do this is available online. The legislation |
| Every fire risk assessment form should provide | | | | does not define what level of experience you |
| certain basic information, including the name of | | | | should have to carry out a fire risk assessment. |
| your business or organisation, the specific | | | | If you are unsure about whether your knowledge |
| workplace premises being assessed, the name of | | | | or experience is adequate for carrying out a fire |
| the person doing the assessment and the date it | | | | risk assessment, you may be better using a |
| was carried out. It is also a good idea to include | | | | consultant. If you are not sure, a good approach |
| the date on which the next review will be due. | | | | is to use a consultant for the first one, to ensure |
| The main part of the form is very much | | | | that it is done thoroughly and to confirm the |
| governed by the stages of the assessment | | | | proper process, then do the reviews and updates |
| process itself. It should have at least six columns, | | | | yourself after that. |
| so that you can record all potential fire hazards | | | | As a rough guide, if your workplace is a relatively |
| you identify, any people who are affected by the | | | | small, fairly typical office type environment, you |
| hazard and any existing control measures you | | | | are almost certainly fine to carry out your own |
| have in place. In addition to these you will also | | | | fire risk assessment. Many small businesses will |
| need to record any further action you need to | | | | find that their assessment is actually very quick |
| take to manage the risk, some indication of how | | | | and simple, resulting in a brief sheet of notes of |
| urgent or high a priority this action is as well as a | | | | their findings. It is only with larger premises, which |
| column for signatures by however signs to say | | | | may involve manufacturing processes, machinery, |
| that the required action is complete. | | | | storage and use of dangerous or flammable |
| The need to carry out a fire risk assessment and | | | | materials, etc, where you should think carefully |
| record your findings is a requirement under the | | | | about whether you have the appropriate level of |
| Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This | | | | knowledge. If you have a particularly hazardous |
| abolishes the use of fire certificates and puts a | | | | workplace and you think an intumescent seal is |
| duty on the 'responsible person' in each workplace | | | | something that balances a ball on its nose, you |
| to ensure that an assessment of the risk of fire | | | | may wish to seek advice. |
| is carried out, and action is taken to reduce any | | | | |