RossMcmillin992
We are all concerned with making the world a safer place, but our responsibilities start closer to home. If you're a business proprietor that employs a lot more than four people (full or part-time), possess a HMO (house in multiple occupation) or premises for public use, it's now law in the united kingdom, underneath the Regulatory Reform Act 2005, that you simply carry out fire safety assessment for the premises.
Fire safety assessments MUST be carried out by a professional fire risk assessor and every business must have a nominated 'responsible person' - it's their job to ensure that the business acts in compliance with the assessment which fire safety is monitored and reviewed at regular intervals. When you are visited by fire safety assessors, they will work alongside the 'responsible person' to identify any potential safety risks and check that you are acting in accordance with regulatory requirements. Fire risk assessors are very well trained and conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation. They will consider the alarm system and log book, existing fire safety equipment, emergency lighting, procedures already in place and any service documents associated with on-site equipment such as fire extinguishers.
Your fire risk assessors will place their findings and produce an in depth report, together with a list of strategies for improved safety on your premises. These risk assessments can be used as insurance purposes and will act as a reference for future fire safety reviews. You should distinguish here between fire certificates and fire risk assessments; the former are no longer legal and were abolished to make way for the brand new, legally required, risk assessments - so if you still have a fire certificate, it is vital that you appoint an experienced fire safety assessor without delay to get your fire risk assessment done as soon as possible - or else you are disobeying the law.
When your fire risk assessors have produced their report they will send a copy onto you and also make sure that you understand all of the information and recommendations contained within. It is crucial that you act on any advice out of your risk assessments - they are consultative documents, demonstrating due diligence and compliance. Not just are these fire risk assessments necessary in terms of the law, but they're also essential for the reassurance that your property, goods and most importantly, employees or tenants are fully protected.
