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Last updated: 2nd January 2024
A fire in any property can cause devastating damage and be a significant risk to people’s safety. Although most fires are preventable, any person who has some level of control in a building must take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of fire occurring to ensure people can escape safely and remain safe. These regulations are up to date and also apply for 2024, so you can use these steps to ensure tenants safety for another year!
Whether you are a landlord, a building owner or are a person responsible for business premises, how do you ensure your properties are safe for your tenants this year?
Effective fire prevention starts with properly understanding the risks. In line with the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, it is crucial to comply with the Fire Safety Act 2021, which amends the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005; the onus to ensure updated guidance is followed is placed on the responsible person. A responsible person must undertake a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) to assess the fire risk in a building and provide recommendations to make it safer. The assessment should include the building’s structure and external walls along with any attachments to the walls such as balconies, cladding, fixes, and insulation. You can read more about the responsible person here.
The following steps and checklist will help you to complete a fire safety risk assessment if you are responsible for a building.
5 steps to keeping people safe
1. Fire Hazards
Fire starts when heat (source of ignition) comes into contact with fuel (anything that burns) and oxygen (air). It is imperative to keep sources of ignition and fuel apart.
Could the following be a fire hazard in your building?
• Heaters• Lighting
• Naked flames
• Electrical equipment
• Hot processing such as welding or grinding
• Cigarettes, matches and anything else that gets hot or causes sparks.
Think about what else in your building could burn:
• Furniture
• Packaging
• Petrol
• Paint
• Varnish
• White spirit
• Wood
• Paper
• Plastic
• Rubber
• Foam
ACT NOW: Make a note of anything you find that could burn.
2. People at Risk
Everyone is at risk if there is a fire. Visitors and customers may be at a higher risk if they are not familiar with the premises. The elderly, children, parents with babies, and those with disabilities are especially vulnerable.
• Identify WHO could be at risk.• Identify WHO could be ESPECIALLY at risk.
ACT NOW: Make a note of what you have found.
3. Evaluate and Act
• What have you found and recorded in steps 1 and 2?• What are the risks of a fire starting and what are the risks to the people in the building and nearby?
• How can you avoid accidental fires?
• Could a source of heat be knocked or pushed into something that would burn?
• Have you kept sources of fuel and heat apart?
• Have you removed or secured any fuel should someone want to start a fire deliberately?
• Will you know there is a fire?
• Do you have a plan to alert others?
• Who is responsible for ensuring everyone gets out?
• Who will call the fire service?
• Could you put out a small fire quickly and prevent it from spreading?
• Have you planned escape routes?
• Have you made sure people will be able to get out safely, even at night?
• Does all your fire safety equipment work?
• Will people know what to do and use the fire safety equipment?
ACT NOW: Make a note of everything you have found.
4. Record, Plan, and Train
Record
Keep a record of any fire hazards and what you have done to reduce or remove them. If your premises are small, a record is a good idea. If you have five or more staff or have a license then you must keep a record of what you have found and what you have done.
Plan
You must have a clear plan of how to prevent fire and how you will keep people safe in case of fire. If you share a building with others, you need to coordinate your plan with them.
Train
You also need to ensure that other staff in the building know what to do in case of fire, and if necessary, are trained for their roles. All employees should receive enough information and training about the risks in the premises. Some, such as fire marshals, will need more thorough training.
ACT NOW: Make a record of what you have found and what action you have taken.
5.Review
Over time fire risks may change therefore it’s imperative to keep your risk assessment under regular review. Where you identify significant changes in risk, or you make changes to your plan, you must inform others who share the premises and, where necessary, re-train the relevant staff. Changes could include:
• A change in the number of people using the premises.• Changing which materials you store in a building.
• A change in the use of the building.
• New staff members working on the premises.
What happens if you don’t carry out these steps?
Aside from the threat to life, if a responsible person fails to follow the risk-based guidance they could face criminal prosecution and an unlimited fine. It is crucial that those individuals review their Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) to ensure they also cover the external façade and individual entrance doors, aligning with the requirements set forth in the Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of the changes to the law and that you meet any new regulation that applies to you. No matter which stage you are at in your compliance journey, we can provide any necessary guidance and/or assistance for your fire safety needs. To speak with one of our experts, get in touch here.
Fire Safety Self-Assessment
In the meantime, download our FREE Fire Safety Self-Assessment here to help you identify any gaps in your fire safety compliance.
