Fire Risk Assessments – what are they and why are they needed for fire safety?

Posted on 14 August 2024

Fire Risk Assessments – what are they and why are they needed for fire safety?

‘Fire Risk Assessments are at the very heart of what we do here at Pyro Fire. They’re required under the Fire Safety Order. They save property. And most importantly, they save lives. In this post, we share some straightforward but expert insights into FRA’s. We ask what they are, why you need them, how they improve your company culture, and how to find out more.’
 Richard Franks, Technical Manager, Pyro Fire

 


Fire Risk Assessments –  what are they and why are they important for fire safety?

Fire Risk Assessments should be at the forefront of fire safety operations within your building. Unfortunately, they are often overlooked and underestimated even though they are potentially life critical.

Fire Risk Assessments – what are they?

Fire Risk Assessment are reviews that help to identify fire hazards and risks within your premises. The assessment applies a systematic approach to understanding how fires start, what might fuel them and who could be at risk. Risks should be rated based on their severity, which determines the relevant course of action your organisation should be taking. Should you eliminate, temporarily control, or manage?

Read up on the 5 components of a Fire Risk Assessment by clicking the link.

5 Components of a fire risk assessment

Fire Risk Assessments – understanding impacts on building safety in the UK

Fire Risk Assessments are not only a legal requirement in the UK, strongly embedded in legislation, but they are also an ethical duty for any building owner or manager. The importance of carrying out Fire Risk Assessments cannot be overstated. Legal stipulations in the UK are particularly stringent when it comes to the enforcement. And law dictates that you need to demonstrate consistency.

Fire Risk Assessments – why is there a need?

Fire Risk Assessments are needed to ensure public safety. The process examines all aspects of a building. It looks at physical layout. It considers the nature of the work that goes in in a building. And then it creates robust and effective protocols enhancing overall fire safety. Ultimately Fire Risk Assessments protect lives and property.

Fire Risk Assessments – keeping them up-to-date and effective

We should be continuously and proactively evaluating, adjusting and upgrading our strategies to effectively combat threats and scenarios that can evolve over time. How people behave on your premises can change. How people move through a building can change. Opening hours can alter. Where deliveries arrive can be reorganised. By the operations team. All of these evolving situations can and should affect your strategic response toward fire safety.

Fire Risk Assessments – improving your entire work culture

Fire Risk Assessments can give your whole organisation a lift. Properly and thoughtfully conducted fire risk assessments benefit the broader ecosystem of your building, the people in it, your stakeholders and your entire work culture. They’re like a badge that tells the world that you do things the right way.  Everyone feels safe. Everyone feels looked after. And everyone can see that your organisation cares about all of the details from the top to the bottom.

‘Fire Risk Assessments give an extra boost of  senior-level confidence in the overall management of your building. They make everyone feel that little bit more happy and secure from the top down. We see it with all the customers we visit. Once we’ve done the assessments and the right strategies are in place, it’s like a breath of fresh air for everyone.’
Daniel Howe, Operations Coordinator, Pyro Fire

Fire Risk Assessments – the importance of a reputable assessor

It’s crucial to ensure a reputable Risk Assessor conducts your fire risk assessment. A Risk Assessor is a trained professional acknowledged in their ability to identify potential fire hazards and other safety risks. Engaging an experienced Risk Assessor not only helps you adhere to legal requirements, but also significantly reduces the chances of a fire. The Risk Assessor’s role can’t be overstated and they can also give you invaluable fire safety training, a major element in fire protection.

 

Fire Risk Assessments – fire safety training

Educating your employees on risk factors and the most effective ways to handle them is always a great idea. Fire safety training enhances your workforce’s ability to manage and minimise risks. It focuses on equipping employees with the capacity to prevent fire in a business setting.

 

Fire Risk Assessments and Fire Safety Training with Pyro Fire

At Pyro Fire we’re the experts in fire safety and compliance.  We’re a diverse team of highly experienced assessors, inspectors and surveyors and we work nationwide to meet your fire safety needs. We have more than 500 clients in the UK, we’re growing steadily, and we have every accreditation you would want from your fire safety experts. We’re pleased to say that our recent customer satisfaction surveys have given us excellent feedback, especially for responsiveness and value.

To find out more about our Fire Risk Assessments enquire online or call us on 0330 133 2150.

 

 

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