Completing a Fire Risk Assessment

How do we complete one?

First we need to agree how far the survey will go – will it be standard visual with records or will it be more through where we actually make holes in the fabric of the building to determine it’s fire rating etc.

We then start with the building survey – this means we need access to every part of the building that the assessment is concerned with. During this time we look at the construction and layout, the possibilities of safe escape from the building and any fire safety systems in place (such as fire alarms, extinguishers etc).
At the end of the assessment we look at the buildings records and maintenance logs. Then access the level of risk using all of this information along with associated guides and our own experience.
We go further than most, using thermal imaging cameras to identify any possible issues that may not necessarily be immediately visible.

We provide honest and reliable advice. Often the cheaper companies will suggest a whole host of unnecessary systems and equipment be installed because that’s where they make their money. We are much more about establishing long term relationships.

Landlords

Just like employers, landlords have certain legal obligations when it comes to fire safety and protection of their properties and the safety of people who reside in their premises. However, it is not as simple as ensuring there is a couple of fire extinguishers to hand – fire safety largely depends on the potential risks and the different types of buildings can cause confusion. For example, a building that is used for a single tenancy will differ to one which is shared across commercial and residential lettings. Legislation requires that landlords carry out FRA’s in all areas of their properties. This process will identify any fire hazards and who is at risk and decide if anything needs to be done to remove or reduce that risk. Private sector landlords will be required from 1 October 2015 to have at least one smoke alarm installed on every storey of their properties and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance (e.g. a coal fire, wood burning stove). After that, the landlord must make sure the alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy. NB- There are responsibilities on premises that have no landlord- e.g. 4 flats with common area, lease or freehold. The flat owners are jointly ‘responsible persons’ and need to ensure legislative requirements are met and maintained.

Legislation that applies to landlords

Fire safety within the home is an extremely important issue, especially in mixed use premises and where unrelated occupiers, who live independently from one another, share common areas of the same building. This area of law is covered by the Housing Act 2004 and the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 inside the dwelling and for the common areas, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005).