Fire Risk Assessment in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Scotland

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT IN GLASGOW, EDINBURGH & THROUGHOUT SCOTLAND

A fire risk assessment involves a physical inspection of the building to determine the adequacy of the existing fire precautions and the need for any additional measures. However, of equal importance to the physical inspection is a review of fire safety management in the organisation and consideration of the human factors – how people will respond to an emergency and whether they will take appropriate action.

There are practical limits to the extent of the survey and evaluation of the fire precautions. For example, in undertaking a fire risk assessment, we would not carry out detailed engineering evaluation or testing of fire protection systems, emergency escape lighting, etc. However, we would inspect such systems visually. Where appropriate, we would identify the need for any further engineering evaluation, which we would be able to carry out if required.
Similarly, the survey of the construction of the building would extend to readily accessible areas of the building only. We would not undertake destructive exposure. While we would inspect above false ceilings, where possible, this would be on a sampling basis only. Again, if we considered that more thorough examination of such areas was necessary, we would highlight this to you.
In the case of a fire risk assessment aimed at satisfying the requirements of legislation, the objective of the risk assessment will primarily be the safety of the occupants of the building. While some of the recommendations we may make could also be beneficial to property protection, we would not be specifically addressing this objective or the objective of avoiding business interruption from fire. However, we do have the expertise to address these objectives, if required.
The risks of not getting one done: heavy fines imposed, risk of being given jail time, and damage to life or property

WHY DO I NEED A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT?

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is the law that covers general fire safety in England and Wales. In Scotland, Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 covers requirements on general fire safety, supported by the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.As employers (or building owners or occupiers) you're known as the ‘responsible person' and you must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and keep it up to date.

Fire risk assessments in Scotland can be carried out either as part of an overall health and safety risk assessment or as a separate exercise. Based on the findings of the assessment, employers need to ensure that adequate and appropriate fire safety measures are in place to minimise the risk of injury or loss of life in the event of a fire. Your fire risk assessment in Scotland should identify what could cause a fire to start, i.e. sources of ignition (heat or sparks) and substances that burn, and the people who may be at risk.

No one appreciates more than I do, the hard work, time, and care that goes into producing a high-quality Fire Risk Assessment Report for your business premises.

Who Needs One?

If you are the duty holder, i.e. the employer, landlord, or any other person who has control of the relevant premises; you are required by law to carry out an assessment of the workplace or, the relevant premises under section 53 or section 54 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 respectively.
The Fire Risk Assessment that is required by law to be carried out may be done so by, a "competent person" who can either be someone within your company, or an outside contractor known as a Fire Risk Assessor. Selecting the right person for the job may not be an easy one as the 'competent person' requires to have, sufficient training and experience, knowledge, or other qualities according to the Fire Safety Regulations (Scotland) 2006; Regulation 17(1).

WHAT TO EXPECT

The scope of the survey involved in a fire risk assessment would include the following particular aspects of fire safety:

Fire loss experience.
Fire hazards.
Fire prevention.
Storage and handling of flammable liquids and gases.
Housekeeping.
Means of escape.
Compartmentation.
Flammability of linings.
Emergency escape lighting.
Fire safety signs and notices.
Fire detection and fire alarm systems.
Fire extinguishing systems and appliances.
Smoke control systems.
Facilities for use by the fire and rescue service.
Arrangements for management of fire safety.
Fire procedures.
Training and drills.
Testing and maintenance.
Records.