Fire Precautions Risk Assessments

These fire regulations place the responsibility on all employers to carry out a fire risk assessment within their premises on the affect a fire would have on all persons within those premises including staff, visitors and contractors.

The fire risk assessment for all companies with 5 or more employees must be written and retained within the building and acted upon if risks are identified. The onus will be strictly on the employer and staff who are all in a position to affect safety. Additionally premises employing young persons (16-18yrs) and those carrying out processes involving dangerous substances even if less than 5 persons are employed.

The Fire Services role is to inspect premises and if, in their opinion, find that the regulations have been ignored or not implemented satisfactorily they have the power to prosecute. They may also decide to restrict the use of part or all of the premises.

The Fire Precautions Act has been repealed and ceases to have ANY legal effect from 1st October 2006. The average cost of a fire to a business in 2003 was estimated to be £53,000.

It is more likely that local Fire services will adopt a far more 'robust' method of enforcing this legislation. Similar to the attitude currently taken by the Health & Safety Executive. They are likely to draw up a list of what they consider high risk premises and pay a visit. Additionally they are likely to act after complaints and after an event i.e. a fire or similar incident.

Guidance has been drawn up on how this list will be compiled Four levels of action are available to the Fire and Rescue Services (F+RS), ranging from a verbal reprimand to restricting the use of all or part of a building. Members of the (F+RS) have been extensively trained in the use of P.A.C.E. (Police and Criminal Evidence Act) and evidence gathering. In fact most officers will carry digital cameras as part of their evidence gathering pack. Premises contravening these regulations will be likely to be posted on the various (F+RS) websites as is already the case with some services.

What FRAC can do for you?

* provide fire risk assessments to British Standard P.A.S. 79
* Provide an individual fire risk assessment for all types of premises to enable compliance with current fire regulations and thus increase your fire safety.
* Guidance to Architects and Building Designers on the best and most cost efficient way of complying with current fire regulations.
* Advise on the provision of emergency lighting, fire warning and detection systems
* Provide 'fire plans' to Architects and Building Designers.
* Carry out inspections under DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations).
* Give design advice to BSi 9999

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