The Fire Risk Assessment – your legal obligation

The Fire Risk Assessment is the starting point for all fire safety at work – and it is NOT optional.  Under the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2001, it is a legal requirement for every employer to have a Fire Risk Assessment, while those employing more than 5 people will have to be able to produce a written Fire Risk Assessment on demand.

Who needs a Fire Risk Assesment?

You need to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment if:

• You are an employer, even if you only have one employee

What is a Fire Risk Assessment?

It assesses the fire risks, fire safety precautions and procedures in force on your premises against established standards and produces an action plan for dealing with those which need improving.

How will David F. Hamilton carry out my Fire Risk Assessment?

David F. Hamilton will assess whether:

• You have the right level of fire detection.
• You have the right number of fire exits and whether all doors on an escape route are easy to open.
• You have a comprehensive emergency plan.
• You have the right level of emergency lighting.
• You have the correct fire signage.
• Your staff has been given adequate Fire Safety Training.
• Your fire alarm, emergency lights and fire extinguishers have been installed and serviced to comply with BS 5839, BS 5306 and BS 5266.
• All systems are checked and tested at recommended intervals and tests recorded

What happens next?

After all the above points have been assessed, a comprehensive report incorporating an action list is created to guide you through what you must do to make your building compliant.