Few responsibilities are as critical when it comes to protecting your business as fire safety. A fire can destroy entire business premises and, in some cases, can be fatal. Yet, many businesses are still unclear about who should carry out their fire risk assessment and what qualifies someone as competent to do so.
At Optimum Safety, we’ve seen firsthand how cutting corners with fire risk assessments can lead to major legal, financial, and human consequences. In this blog, we’re breaking down why working with a competent fire risk assessor isn’t just best practice – it’s essential.
The Law on Fire Safety & Risk Assessments
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all non-domestic premises in England and Wales must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. That includes shops, offices, warehouses, care homes, and even some shared parts of residential buildings.
Having a fire risk assessment is not only required by law but also reduces the risk of a fire starting and causing harm to people present as well as the building itself, work equipment and stock, and nearby buildings. Many fires could have been prevented with an up-to-date fire risk assessment that was carried out effectively by a competent person.
What Does ‘Competent’ Actually Mean?
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The person carrying out this assessment must be a competent, responsible person. This is defined by the Fire Safety Order as:
“[…](a)“responsible person” means —
- in relation to a workplace, the employer, if the workplace is to any extent under his control;
- in relation to any premises not falling within paragraph (a)—
(i) the person who has control of the premises (as occupier or otherwise) in connection with the carrying on by him of a trade, business or other undertaking (for profit or not); or
(ii) the owner, where the person in control of the premises does not have control in connection with the carrying on by that person of a trade, business or other undertaking.”
Source: legislation.gov.uk
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) says that the ‘responsible person’ will usually be the main or principal contractor on a work site or at business premises. But neither of these defines what exactly a responsible or competent person is in regards to fire safety. Ideally, it should be someone with the knowledge, experience, and qualifications to understand your environment, identify hazards, and recommend effective control measures.
In practical terms, a competent fire risk assessor should:
- Understand the legislation and guidance relevant to your sector.
- Be able to identify a wide range of fire hazards, including those unique to your industry.
- Have a track record of working with similar businesses.
- Be accredited or third-party verified by recognised bodies (e.g. IFE, FRACS, BAFE).
What Should A Fire Risk Assessment Involve?
There are five main steps to a fire risk assessment. They include:
Identifying all fire hazards
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This could include writing, electrical appliances, lighting and heating, sparks and naked flames, accelerants such as gas bottles, oxygen tanks and air conditioning systems, flammable materials such as paper and wood, as well as waste from processes, e.g. wood shavings. Work activities could also be fire hazards, such as welding, grinding, cooking, and more.
Identify who is at risk
This can be anyone who is on site, including employees, clients, and visitors, plus anyone in the local area. Consider that some people may be at more risk than others, e.g. employees who work in a loud environment or wear ear defenders, as they might not hear a fire alarm right away. Some people are more vulnerable during a fire, e.g. children, elderly people, and people with limited mobility.
Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks
The next step is to reduce the risk of fires or, ideally, eliminate the risk entirely. This could be removing excess flammable waste like paper or wood, storing flammable materials suitably and well away from any source of ignition. At this stage, you may also identify ways to keep people safe or evacuate them quickly and safely if there is a fire. Consider where fire alarms are placed, what fire extinguishers you need, and how people can reach their nearest fire exit. It may also be useful to assign a person or people in the workplace as fire wardens and make sure they receive the appropriate training.
Formulate a plan
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Use all the information from the previous steps to write up a fire safety plan. All employees should adhere to this to reduce the risk of fire. It should include fire assembly points, details of all fire exits and escape routes, regular fire alarm tests, fire drills and fire safety training for all employees.
Regularly review the fire risk assessment
Fire risk assessments should be regularly reviewed to make sure they are still relevant and reflect any changes in the workplace, such as work activities, layout of the building, more employees, or anything else that can have an effect on the fire risks in the workplace.
The Risks of Using an Incompetent Fire Risk Assessor
Choosing someone unqualified or under-experienced can result in:
- Inadequate assessments, missing critical hazards or producing generic templates that don’t reflect your premises.
- Regulatory breaches, with potential for enforcement notices or prosecution.
- Insurance complications, especially if an incident occurs and the assessment is deemed invalid.
- Endangering lives by failing to protect your employees, visitors, and the public.
At Optimum Safety, our fire risk assessors meet the competency criteria set by UK Fire Safety Legislation and are experienced in working across a range of sectors, from office blocks and manufacturing sites to care homes and educational institutions. We can produce tailored reports, help you prioritise actions, and support you through any follow-up compliance measures. Get in touch with us here at our contact page or call us on 01522 527544.
