Do you need a fire risk assessment?

All commercial buildings require a fire risk assessment by law. A fire risk assessment in most cases is the responsibility of the owner of the building (except when this has been agreed otherwise as per lease agreements). It is important to ensure that all is done to reduce the risk of fire in your building as ultimately this can save lives, and save money in the long run. Private homes do not require a fire risk assessment. If you’re unsure, give us a call and we can better advise you.

What is a fire risk assessment?

A fire risk assessment is the surveying of a building by a professional to determine all aspects of possible fire risks. This ranges from specific fire hazards to the amount of staff and layout of the building. A fire risk assessment will determine the level of fire risk for your building and offer a guide specific to your property. This guide will include a minimum standard of safety required and advise on aspects including: amount of fire extinguishers needed, escape routes, placement and amount of smoke detectors and smoke alarms, fire doors, and emergency lighting.

Why do I need a fire risk assessment?

Nobody should have to go to a place of work or leisure and be constantly worrying about their safety. Often the risk of fire is overlooked as it is not a looming threat that can be seen. The need for correct fire safety solutions can not be overstated however as businesses often never recover from fire damage. A fire risk assessment is needed for three main reasons.

Firstly, it saves lives. Without a proper procedure in place then when a fire does occur there will be confusion and this will delay the time it takes for people to get to safety. A fire risk assessment will alleviate any doubt on what to do when there is a fire and outline evacuation procedures and ensure that there are people in control of the situation.

Secondly, a fire risk assessment will save you money. A fire risk assessment ensures that if a fire does occur there is a system in place for the quickest response possible. Time is the most crucial factor when there is a fire and the quicker the response the less injury and damage. Monitoring systems are included in fire risk assessment guidelines to ensure that an immediate response is possible and this will reduce the amount of fire exposure to your assets and people.

Thirdly, a fire risk assessment is required by law. If you do not comply with this, as well as putting your assets and people in danger you will ultimately face fines and eventual prosecutions. Fire risk assessment checks are regularly conducted on workplace and establishments. The government even reserve the rights to cease the operations of businesses who do not properly comply with fire safety laws so it is best to stay safe and get a fire risk assessment done today.

Who can do a fire risk assessment?

Fire risk assessments should only be carried out by professionals. This is because we are trained to understand all risks associated and understand all precautions that need to be taken. Every different type of building and business also has different regulations so it is crucial that the correct precautions are taken to match the risk. At KJ Fire Safety we carry out fire risk assessments all over the country ranging from the Manchester area all the way to London. We are mainly based in the North West of England and with clients based in Wigan, Chorley, Bolton, Standish and the surrounding areas. If you or anyone you know requires a fire risk assessment or needs further information then please contact us at KJ Fire Safety.

Give us a call to discuss your specific fire risk assessment requirements in more detail: 01942 562021.