Fire safety is a crucial aspect of any building, whether it’s a residential block, commercial property, or industrial site.
But the all-important question is: who is responsible for completing a fire risk assessment?
Essentially, it’s the responsibility of the employer or the ”responsible person” of a premises. In a workplace or business setting, the responsible person is usually the owner, manager, or the person in control of the premises.
Ensuring that premises are safe from fire hazards is not just good practice, it’s a legal requirement.
A key component of fire safety is the fire risk assessment, which identifies potential hazards and ensures necessary precautions are in place to prevent and mitigate fire risks.
In this blog, we explore who is responsible for completing a fire risk assessment.
We will specifically cover:
- Who is legally responsible for fire risk assessments?
- Key responsibilities of the ‘responsible person’
- How can Absolute Health Fire Safety Help?
Looking for an immediate quotation for a fire risk assessment in Yorkshire?
Simply call Absolute Health Fire Safety on 0113 418 2911 or use the contact form on our website and we’ll be in touch.
What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?
A fire risk assessment is a structured evaluation of a building to identify fire hazards, assess the risk levels, and implement necessary safety measures. It is an essential part of any fire safety management and strategy and should be regularly reviewed and updated.
A comprehensive fire risk assessment should include:
- Identifying potential fire hazards (such as flammable materials and ignition sources)
- Identifying people at risk (employees, visitors, or residents)
- Evaluating the likelihood and potential consequences of a fire
- Assessing fire safety measures, including alarms, extinguishers, and evacuation procedures
- Recommending improvements to enhance fire safety
- Creating an action plan to address identified risks
- Much more can go into it as well which we’d love to discuss further with you
If you do not work within official fire safety standards and laws then you will likely receive fines, possible imprisonment and other repercussions that you simply don’t want to get into.
Who Is Legally Responsible for Fire Risk Assessments?
In the UK, fire safety laws are primarily governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which applies to all non-domestic premises, including businesses, commercial buildings, and communal areas of residential properties. This does include blocks of flats too and accommodations too however.
According to the Fire Safety Order, a nominated ‘responsible person’ must ensure a fire risk assessment is carried out and maintained. The responsible person is typically either the employer of a premises, the owner of a building, a landlord, managing agent or any person with control over the premises.
The responsible person must ensure that fire risks are properly assessed, reduced where possible, and that adequate fire safety measures are in place.
Ultimately, these laws and legislations are in place to keep people and property safe from fire.
Key Responsibilities of the ‘Responsible Person’
There are several duties that a ‘Responsible Person’ must undertake:
Conducting or Arranging a Fire Risk Assessment: The responsible person must ensure that a competent individual or company carries out a fire risk assessment. They can do this themselves if they have the necessary knowledge and expertise or hire a professional fire risk assessor. We would recommend the latter as a company such as ourselves has years of experience and a close eye for detail that might be missed otherwise.
Implementing Fire Safety Measures: Based on the findings of the assessment, the responsible person must make sure that the necessary fire safety measures are implemented. This may include installing fire alarms, maintaining fire extinguishers, providing clear escape routes, and ensuring adequate emergency lighting.
Informing and Training Staff or Residents: Employees and residents must be informed of fire safety procedures, evacuation plans, and how to prevent fire hazards. In workplaces, fire safety training and regular fire drills should be strongly considered.
Maintaining Fire Safety Equipment and Systems: Regular maintenance of fire safety systems, such as alarms, sprinkler systems, and fire doors, is critical. Equipment should be tested periodically to ensure they work properly at all times.
Reviewing and Updating the Fire Risk Assessment: A fire risk assessment is not a one-time process. It must be reviewed regularly, especially when there are significant changes to the building structure, occupancy, or fire safety regulations. We would recommend you do this annually, or twice a year should there be lots of changes happening.
How Can Absolute Health Fire Safety Help?
Prioritising a fire risk assessment for your business or premises can often be put on the back-burner. However, it is a legal requirement and the safety of your people and property rests in your hands.
Fortunately, Absolute Health Fire Safety provides comprehensive fire risk assessments (initial assessments and reviews) for all types of properties and sectors across Yorkshire.
Our services include:
Comprehensive Fire Risk Assessments: Conducted by our experienced fire safety professionals who identify risks and provide tailored recommendations.
Fire Safety Training: We can help businesses and residents understand fire prevention measures, evacuation procedures, and the proper use of fire extinguishers as well as other equipment.
Fire Safety Equipment Supply and Maintenance: We can also provide and service fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting, and other essential safety equipment so you get peace of mind that they’re in sound condition and functional.
Ongoing Fire Safety Compliance Support: Assisting businesses and property owners in maintaining fire safety compliance is important so we offer through regular reviews and updates.
Contact Absolute Health Fire Safety Today
Take the confusion out of fire safety, upskill your knowledge and be confident that you could make a real difference when it comes to dealing with fire. If you’d like to book in a fire risk assessment, become the ‘Responsible Person’ for your building or arrange comprehensive in-person fire safety training , we would love to hear from you today.
You can call us directly on 0113 418 2911 or use the contact form on our website.
Either way, we will do our best to get to you promptly and handle your enquiry efficiently.
From the team here at Absolute Health Fire Safety, we look forward to hearing from you soon!