RRO1
Fire Risk Management Guidance & Example Risk Assessment
Contents Section A
Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) Methodology
Section B
Premises Details (Example FRA)
Section C
Fire Safety Management (Legislative controls)
Section D
Hazard Identification (Ignition, Fuel & Oxygen)
Section E
Means for Giving Warning (Fire Detection & Alarm)
Section F
Means of Escape
Section G
Portable Fire Fighting Equipment (PFFE)
Section H
Fixed Installations
Section I
Arson
Section J
Maintenance and Records
Section K
Fire Emergency Action Plan
Section L
Staff Training
Section M
Works Action Plan
Section A
Risk Assessment Methodology
Fire Risk Assessments (FRA) are a legal requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO). The legislation requires the responsible person to look at (risk assess) the fire precautions within their premises. The general areas to look at are: Means of detection & giving warning in case of fire Means of escape Means of fighting fire Staff training Maintenance and recording. If 5 or more people are employed, a record of the risk assessment’s significant findings must be kept. The Fire Risk Assessment’s significant findings can be identified and produced in a format suitable to the premises. However a certain methodology should be followed. This methodology has been identified in the guidance documents which accompany the RRO. The guidance documents are available at stationery office bookshops or downloaded from the website of the Department for Communities and Local Government – www.firesafetylaw.communities.gov.uk. The methodology described in these documents is called “The 5 steps to risk assessment.” Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5
Identify any fire hazards ↓ Identify who could be harmed ↓ Evaluate the risks ↓ Record the significant findings ↓ Review and revise assessment Step 1 – Identifying fire hazards
3 areas should be looked at:
Ignition sources – electrical, cooking, smoking, hot surfaces, arson, naked flames, etc. Fuel sources – flammable solids, liquids & gases
Oxygen sources – Present in the air, but also from oxidising agents/chemical products, etc. Walk around your premises and identify all areas which have the potential to contribute to a fire. Step 2 - identifying people at risk If a fire was to start, look at the people who would be at risk. Do they have any special needs? Consider: Workers, Customers, Visitors, Contractors Pay attention to people at risk such as: Disabled Elderly Lone workers Working out of normal hours People in isolated areas. Step 3 - evaluate, remove, and protect from risks Consider the measures needed to prevent fire by: Evaluating the likelihood of a fire occurring Evaluating the risk to people from a fire starting somewhere in the building Removing or reducing the hazards that may cause a fire Removing or reducing the risk to people from a fire Look at the measures within your premises to protect people from fire. Are they suitable and sufficient? These measures include: Fire detection and warning systems Means of escape (escape routes, fire resistance, fire doors, etc) Fire fighting equipment Signs and notices Lighting (normal and emergency) Staff training Maintenance Step 4 - record, plan, instruct, inform & train If 5 or more people are employed, or your premises are licensed, or an Alterations Notice is in force which requires you to do so, the significant findings of your risk assessment and control measures must be recorded. A plan of “Action to be taken in an emergency” should be produced. The plan should be: Based on the outcomes of your fire risk assessment Appropriate to your premises A plan of exactly what you want your staff to do in an emergency
Available to all relevant persons All staff should be given information and instruction on what to do in an emergency. This should be given: As soon as possible after appointment Regular intervals thereafter. The information and instruction given must include: Significant findings of your risk assessment Measures in place to reduce risk Action to take in the event of a fire Identity of people nominated with fire safety responsibilities Any special arrangements for serious imminent danger Staff Training should include: Action on discovering a fire How to raise the alarm Action on hearing fire alarm Procedure for alerting members of the public/visitors Evacuation procedure to reach the assembly point Location and, when appropriate, use of fire fighting equipment Importance of closing fire doors Isolation of machinery Reason for not using lifts (unless specifically designed for evacuation) Information on specific hazards in your premises Co-operation & Co-ordination In multi-occupied premises, it is important that you liaise with the other occupiers and inform them of any significant risk you have identified. You should co-ordinate your resources to ensure your actions and working practices do not place others at risk in the event of a fire and the co-ordinated emergency plan operates effectively.
Step 5 – review and revise assessment An FRA is a working document, which should be reviewed and revised on a regular basis. Timescales are not set. However, as a guide, a review should be undertaken as a risk or hazard changes or as new ones are introduced to the workplace. To ensure compliance, assessments should be checked at least once every 12 months. If in any doubt, consult your local Fire Safety department.
EXAMPLE RISK ASSESSMENT Section B
Basic Premises information
The front cover of a Risk Assessment should give basic information. The Risk Assessment needs to be building specific. So we would expect to see basic information which identifies your premises. For example: Premises Name: Address: Premises Description:
A 2 storey building, of brick built construction, used as………………………….. premises consists of: Sleeping accommodation for 15 personnel, Office areas, Kitchen and lounge,
Hours of Business:
24 hour
Max No. of persons at any one time:
Staff - 18 Visitors – upwards of 50
Responsible Person: Position Held: Contact Number: Building Owner: Contact Number:
Assessment Date: By: Review Date By:
Section C
Fire Safety Management (Legislative Controls)
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Item A Is there a written company policy on fire safety? B Has a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment been carried out? C If required, has the fire risk assessment been recorded? D Has all necessary staff been informed of the ‘significant findings’ of the risk assessment? E Are procedures in place to ensure the risk assessment is reviewed as required? F Is there a suitable and sufficient emergency action plan?
Other legislation relevant to premises
Comments 1. 2. 3. 4.
No written company policy as regards fire safety. No previous fire risk assessment. Staff to be informed of this risk assessment. No emergency action plan.
NA
Yes
No √ √ √ √ √ √
Section D Hazard Identification (example) Walk around your premises to identify the sources of: ○Ignition ○ Fuel ○ Oxygen The examples below are not an exhaustive list. You have to identify your own hazards! Item NA Yes No Sources of Ignition A Electrical installation regularly inspected? √ B Electrical equipment PAT tested? √ C Portable or fixed heating kept away from combustibles? √ D Multipoint adaptors/ extension leads kept to a minimum? √ E Electrical flexes safe from physical damage? √ F Hot works permit procedure in force? √ G Smoking permitted in and around premises? √ H Any processes that produce heat? √ I Any other sources of ignition not mentioned above? √
Sources of Fuel J K L M N
Safe storage of combustible materials? Flammable liquids kept on premises stored safely? Standard of housekeeping satisfactory Procedures to protect from arson in place? Any other sources of fuel not mentioned above?
Sources of O O
2
Any sources of oxygen other than air?
√ √ √ √ √ √
Comments 1. Unattended portable heater left in ground floor drying room with towels and clothing. 2. No procedure in place for hot works permits. 3. Smoking permitted in external areas around building 4. Petrol and diesel stored in external fuel store Underground diesel tank approximately 10 metres from building (Procedures for Arson dealt with under Section I) Once you have identified your significant finding, look at who is at risk and the control measures you have in place / require.
Sources of ignition/Fuel/Oxygen Location
Hazard
Throughout
No procedures for hot works permit Discarded cigarettes
External stair & by back door Electrical intake room in servicing area Drying room
Persons at risk All
Risk H/M/L M
Existing controls None
Further Action
By whom & date actioned
Procedure to be set up
Gareth Evans
All
M
Metal container provided by back door None
Container to be provided on external stair, or no smoking allowed
Gareth Evans
Boxes stored in locked intake room
All
M
Storage to be removed
Gareth Evans
Heater left on, towels and clothing left to accumulate Accelerated fire spread
All
M
General housekeeping
Heat detector provided
Gareth Evans
Various All L Separation None fuel and good sources housekeeping The Risk Category is an estimation of the potential for the hazard to cause harm. This section should be qualified. How do we decide what is high, medium or low? Also how does the risk category impact on time scale for further action? Eg High – Immediate action required? Medium – Action within 1 month? Low – Action within 6 months?
Section E
Means for Giving Warning
Risk Assess the fire protection measures in your premises. The questions below are not an exhaustive list. You have to identify your own fire protection requirements! Fire Alarm and Detection System NA Yes No Does the building have a means for giving warning in case of √ fire? Is the means for giving warning appropriate and does it meet √ the building’s requirements? Is the alarm audible throughout the building? √ Is the number and siting of call points satisfactory? √ Is the detection sufficient and appropriate for the building √ needs? Are any detectors or call points obstructed? √ Are all employees aware of how to raise the alarm? √ Are employees trained on how to raise the alarm? √ Is the fire alarm system tested on a weekly basis? √ Is the fire alarm system serviced/maintained in accordance with √ BS 5839? Does the system have a battery back up? √
Comments 1. The means for giving warning is verbal. 2. The premises are a sleeping risk and as such should be provided with a category L2 fire alarm system complying with BS5839 part 1. 3. Employees are not trained in the actions to be taken in an emergency. 4. No record of testing fire-warning procedures.
Means for giving warning Location
Hazard
All areas
Inappropriate means for giving warning in case of fire
All areas
No procedure in place for giving warning in case of fire
Persons at risk All
Risk H/M/L H
All
H
Existing controls Verbal warning by staff who have received no training on the procedure None
Further Action Installation of a Category L2 fire alarm system to BS 5839
Interim procedure put in place until fire alarm system installed
By whom & date actioned Peter Martin Due to seriousness, ASAP
Peter Martin Due to seriousness, ASAP
Section F
Means of escape
The questions below are not an exhaustive list. your own fire protection requirements!
You have to identify
General Is there an alternative exit from all areas of the premises? Are travel distances acceptable? Are there any dead end situations Are all escape routes unobstructed and free from combustibles? Suitable arrangements in place for inner room conditions? Are escape routes adequately protected?
NA Yes No √ √ √ √ √ √
Doors Are there sufficient exits of suitable size to allow egress for all occupants? Can all exits be immediately opened without the use of a key? Are all internal fire doors in good condition, fitted with appropriate devices and in working order? Are any internal doors wedged open? Are all automatic door fastenings fail safe open & provided with an override facility
√ √ √ √ √
Signage Is the premises fitted with sufficient exit signage? Are all escape routes clearly identified? Does the signage comply with BS 5499? Are all doors fitted with appropriate label signage? Any external signage required? Are there adequate staff notices? Are illuminated exit signs required?
√ √ √ √ √ √ √
Lighting Is emergency lighting required? Are all escape routes adequately illuminated? Are additional emergency lighting luminaires needed? Does existing artificial lighting appear satisfactory? Do emergency lighting units appear to be charging? Is emergency lighting maintained and tested according to BS5266?
√ √ √ √ √ √
comments: 1. 2. 3.
Storage in ground floor corridor and staircase enclosure Dead end condition from office area No self closures on following doors i. 1st floor kitchen ii. 1st floor dining area room iii. 3 ground floor offices
4. 5. 6.
No directional exit signage at the base of the internal staircase Signage on the ground floor final exit does not comply with BS5499 Emergency lighting complying with BS5266 required
Means of Escape Location
Hazard
Staircase Clothing Obstructing enclosure and means of corridor escape to front door Ist floor No self closures kitchen, on doors for sleepingthe protection of sleeping in room, Ground accommodation floor and dead end offices corridor Ground No directional floor exit sign to indicate route staircase enclosure out in an emergency Premises Exit sign does rear door not conform to BS 5499 Premises No emergency escape lighting routes and sleeping areas
Persons Risk at risk H/M/L All L
Existing controls
Further Action
Clothing kept to a minimum and hung on suitable pegs
Different area identified for storing coats, etc.
By whom & date actioned Gareth Evans
All
H
None
Fit self closures to doors
Gareth Evans
All
M
Vision panels on doors
Directional exit sign showing route to final exit
Gareth Evans
All
L
Sign in text
Pictogram required
Gareth Evans
All
H
External lighting when on
Emergency lighting system complying with BS5266 required
Peter Martin
Section G
Portable Fire fighting equipment
The questions below are not an exhaustive list. your own fire protection requirements!
You have to identify
Are additional extinguishers required? Are extinguishers correctly positioned? Are extinguishers appropriate to the risk & of sufficient capacity? Are fire blankets required? Are extinguishers obstructed? Are extinguisher signs required? Have extinguishers been serviced?
NA Yes No √ √ √ √ √ √ √
Comments 1 2kg CO2 extinguisher complying with BS EN 3 to be provided and sited in the electrical equipment room 1 9 litre water extinguisher complying with BS EN 3 to be provided and sited in the ground floor corridor.
Portable Fire fighting Equipment Location First Floor
Ground Floor Corridor
Hazard No extinguisher for electrical fire in electrical equipment room No extinguisher for combustibles from 3 offices and corridor
Persons at risk All
Risk H/M/L M
All
M
Existing controls
Further Action
By whom & date actioned
Nearest CO2 extinguisher on the ground floor
Provide a 2kg CO2 extinguisher complying with BS EN 3
Gareth Evans
Nearest water extinguisher on first floor
Provide a 9 litre water extinguisher complying with BS EN 3
Gareth Evans
Section H
Fixed Installations
The questions below are not an exhaustive list. your own fire protection requirements
You have to identify
Is the building provided with a sprinkler system? Is the building provided with a dry/wet riser? Is the building provided with a gas flooding system? Is the building provided with a smoke control system? Is the building provided with any other fixed installation? Are hose reels provided? Are fixed installations tested to current BS standards? Are all protection systems provided with appropriate signage? Are all protection systems provided with appropriate alarms?
Comments No fixed installations provided.
NA Yes No √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
Fixed Installations Location
Hazard
Persons at risk
Risk H/M/L
Existing controls
Further Action
By whom & date actioned
Section I
Arson
The questions below are not an exhaustive list. your own fire protection requirements!
You have to identify
Are the premises reasonably secure during hours of darkness? Is there a reasonable standard of external lighting? Could external rubbish/ waste put the building at risk? Are wheelie bins lockable? Are wheelie bins remote from the building? Is CCTV provided?
Comments Wheelie bins can be moved next to the building and ignited
NA Yes No √ √ √ √ √ √
Arson Location
Hazard
External bins
Could be moved next to building and ignited
Persons at risk All
Risk H/M/L M
Existing controls
Further Action
External lighting
Bins stored in a secure compound away from the building
By whom & date actioned Gareth Evans
Section J
Maintenance and Record Keeping
The questions below are not an exhaustive list. your own fire protection requirements!
You have to identify NA Yes No
Is Is Is Is
there a suitable and sufficient risk assessment? the risk assessment reviewed on a regular basis? there a suitable and sufficient emergency action plan? a log book kept within the building?
Are there up to date records of: Fire Alarm testing? Fire alarm actuations? Emergency light testing? Means of escape testing? Fire extinguisher testing? Fixed installation testing? Staff fire training? Fire drills?
Comments No records kept on any of the areas identified above.
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
Maintenance and record keeping Location
Hazard
Premises
No testing and maintenance of means of escape No log books kept of maintenance of fire safety measures No written procedures in place for actions in case of emergency No records of fire drills and staff training No maintenance record kept of PFFE testing
Premises
Premises
Premises Premises
Persons at risk All
Risk H/M/L H
Existing controls None
Further Action
All
H
None
Log book to be maintained of all testing of fire safety measures
Gareth Evans
All
H
None
Procedure to be written and followed
Gareth Evans
All
H
None
Log book to be maintained of all fire drills and staff training
Gareth Evans
All
M
None
Records of PFFE testing is to be maintained
Gareth Evans
Means of escape testing procedure started and records kept of tests
By whom & date actioned Gareth Evans
Section K
Emergency Action Plan
The questions below are not an exhaustive list. your own fire protection requirements
You have to identify
Is there a written site-specific fire emergency action plan? Is the location of the fire assembly point specified on staff fire notices?
NA Yes No √ √
Does the fire emergency action plan include details of the following: Action on discovering a fire How to raise the alarm Action on hearing fire alarm Procedure for alerting members of the public/visitors Evacuation procedure to reach the assembly point Location &, when appropriate, use of fire fighting equipment Importance of closing fire doors Isolation of machinery Reason for not using lifts (unless specifically designed for evacuation) Information on specific hazards in your premises
Comments No emergency action plan
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
Emergency Action Plan Location
Hazard
Premises
No emergency action plan
Persons at risk All
Risk H/M/L H
Existing controls
Further Action
None
Emergency action plan to be produced
By whom & date actioned Gareth Evans
Section L
Staff Training
The questions below are not an exhaustive list. your own fire protection requirements!
You have to identify
Are staff given information as to the contents of the Fire risk assessment? Are staff given written copies of the premises emergency action plan?
NA Yes No √ √
Are staff being trained in the following areas: Action on discovering a fire? How to raise the alarm? Action on hearing fire alarm? Procedure for alerting members of the public/visitors? Evacuation procedure to reach the assembly point? Location &, when appropriate, use of fire fighting equipment? Importance of closing fire doors? Isolation of machinery? Reason for not using lifts (unless specifically designed for evacuation)? Information on specific hazards in your premises? The requirements for any specific role such as a fire marshal? Are fire drills undertaken
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
Comments 1. Staff unaware of contents of the risk assessment and emergency action plan 2. No staff training given on the actions to be taken in an emergency 3. No fire drills undertaken
Staff Training Location
Hazard
Premises
No information given to staff on the contents of the fire risk assessment No emergency action plan No staff training undertaken No fire drills undertaken
Premises Premises Premises
Persons at risk All
Risk H/M/L M
Existing controls
Further Action
None
Staff to be made aware of hazards and risks identified in the fire risk assessment
All
H
None
All
H
None
All
H
None
Emergency action plan to be produced and training given to staff. Staff to receive site specific training on actions to be taken in an emergency Site specific fire drills to be undertaken
By whom & date actioned Gareth Evans
Gareth Evans Gareth Evans Gareth Evans
Section M
Works Action Plan
In this Works Action Plan, the time limits for prioritised actions are as follows: Low (L) – 6 months Medium (M) – 1 month High (H) within 1 week or as reasonably practicable. Item
Action
Date
Responsible person
