1. Toolbox talk on fire risk assessment by Marc Cork
Today we will be discussing fire risk assessment in a brief over view.
We will take a look at the legalities, the processes, paperwork requirements, walking the premise and the reporting all set out by the fire safety order and what HM Government Guidelines say we need to do.

2. When do I require a fire risk assessment ?
Design considerations ~ sub sections
The Legalities
When do I require a fire risk assessment ?
Any non domestic dwelling
5 or more staff – written and documented
If there is a significant change in staff Levels up or down
If the building under goes any alteration works (structurally)
What after that ?
Review
The regulatory reform order states that a fire risk assessment should be carried out for every non domestic dwelling IE a business premise, hotel, hmo - any where that the common areas are used by more than 1 family and that if there are more than 5 persons employed including directors, company secretary's etc that this should be written and documented.
Review – a fire risk assessment can be reviewed a maximum of 4 times at no longer than 12 monthly intervals, What is a review, in part it is checking that the previous has been completed and then following the same processes as before, we would not how ever review someone else risk assessment.

3. Fire Risk Assessment process and what follows
Category M
Fire Risk Assessment process and what follows
Inspection of all maintenance contracts and ensure everything has been logged correctly and not lapsed, such as fire alarm & emergency lighting, extinguishers, other fire related systems that might be present, gas boiler servicing, duct works, PAT testing, fixed wire testing ETC
Ensure that daily, weekly, monthly, bi-annual and annual fire responsibilities are being carried as per the relevant British Standards and recorded in the log book
Over view of the current evacuation procedures for site & check all management protocols
Identify staff training schedules (fire) and ensure that there are the correct number of fire wardens
Inspection of contracts – ensure anything that may require a maintenance contract is up to date and has not lapsed
Fire log book – all duties being carried out and evidence available to see, fire drills, weekly fire alarm testing etc
Evacuation procedures – are they available to look at & are they suitable
Training – are there enough trained staff to deal with a full evacuation if required

4. Category L A walk of the premise
Escape routes are the correct construction, width & that travel distances are within HM Government Guidelines, free from hazards such as trailing cables, loose carpet and other potential slips, trips and falls and that there are the correct amount of exits for the number of persons on the site.
Inspect all fire doors and frames to ensure they will seal against smoke and resist fire for 30 minutes minimum.
Ensure the fire alarm, emergency lighting, extinguishers and other fire related installations are in line British Standards & correct for the premise and its current usage, this may mean the category of alarm requires changing from a Manual (M) system to a Life system (L), the building may have changed from its originally intended usage since it was built.
Run through content of slide.

5. A walk of the premise continued
Category P
A walk of the premise continued
Randomly check portable appliances to see if things have been missed such as vending machines, water coolers and copiers.
Talk to the staff and ensure that the training has been done and they know where the exits are and what type of extinguisher should be used on what type of fire, again this highlights a training requirement.
Look for any other risks such as chemicals and aerosols that maybe on site, see if they can be changed for a lower fire risk option, check for overloading of extension leads and housekeeping around the high risk areas is of a good standard.
A walk of the exterior is carried out to ensure access is good for the fire service, arson risks are minimal and that assembly points are suitable.

6. Design considerations ~ sub sections The Report
Clients own template ?
Our own template ?
Pass 79 ?
The report
After all this has been completed it is then transferred on to a report, is there a right or wrong way, which type of report is best used?
Some people do like the word or even using templates, what it offers though is a good continuity. We can use any format as it is not set in the fire safety order that any type should be used, there is a guidance as to what the first page should contain set out in HM Government Guidelines and this is followed in our own templates and pass 79.
Which is best used – simply which ever works best to your own needs.
That would be the main parts of what is involved, there are other bits and pieces that get looked at during the walk around and sometimes some general pointers given but not put in the fire risk assessment as it may not be relevant but, often is warmly received by the client as good sound advice.