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