In the UK, the issue of fire safety is an important consideration when doing business. Performing a fire risk assessment is important in businesses.
This assessment won’t just help you discover the sources of fire risk. It will also help you determine the measures that you can take to prevent the risk. But the question is – how often should you conduct an assessment?
Understanding Fire Risk Assessments
Fire risk assessments offer insights into how those risks could be managed effectively. If you are a shop owner, a landlord, or an office manager, the UK fire safety legislation requires you to do this more often.
There is no precise legal requirement for how regularly you should assess fire risks. But the law requires you to review it regularly.
Mostly, fire safety is more important in busy cities. For instance, do you own a company in London?
If so, it is important to keep up with a fire risk assessment in London. This is because of higher foot traffic and stricter compliance expectations.
Why Fire Risk Assessments Matter
Recognising the importance of completing a fire risk assessment means that you are not just fulfilling the legal obligations. It also means that you are taking the appraisal of fire risk as an essential step to safeguarding your business. Here are more reasons why it’s so important:
- Protects lives
- Minimises damage
- Boosts staff confidence
- Supports business continuity
When Should You Review Your Fire Risk Assessment?
Certain instances will require you to assess fire risks. Some of these instances include the following:
1. After a Major Change to Your Building Layout or Structure
If you have changed your workstation by renovating, expanding, or just restructuring, your earlier assessment may not hold. Alterations of walls, doors or escape routes may impact how fast a fire spreads. It affirms that your fire strategy is still effective with the new setup.
2. When You Bring in Flammable Materials or New Equipment
Adding new machines or materials, particularly those that produce heat or are flammable, can enhance the fire risk. You should consider these things when developing your safety measures for storing and handling these items.
3. Following a Fire Outbreak
Any fire, be it a simple fire or a fire alarm that may not be real, is a warning sign. Discussing what went wrong and adjusting your views or evaluation to prevent such occurrences is always good.
The events don’t just heighten your awareness. They also help you improve your fire prevention and management strategy.
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4. After Hiring a New Employee
A larger number of people in your building can complicate evacuation procedures and put more individuals in jeopardy. So, it is also important to update the assessment so that everyone can understand who is expected to do what in case of an emergency.
In conclusion, carrying out a fire risk assessment is not just a legal requirement. It is also a duty of care for all stakeholders in your business.
Generally, you need to review your fire risk assessment at least once a year. But if there is any business change, you need to review the assessment again.