Fire Risk Assessments
So Far So Good?
Guide to Choosing a Competent Fire Risk Assessor
Most of us are fortunate enough to never have experienced the trauma of a major fire. However, that can lead many into having a false sense of security, particularly within workplaces that have operated for years without incident. Complacency is commonplace with many businesses failing to take action to comply with current fire safety legislation, despite this being in place since 2005 (The Fire Safety (Scotland) Act 2005.)
Yet it only takes minutes for your business to go up in flames. Some businesses never recover.
Complying with Fire Safety Legislation isn’t just a legal requirement, it is a moral obligation. Fires can result in death, pain, injury and suffering, as well as potential job loss and psychological damage for both staff and the general public.
Have you complied?
Fire safety legislation aims to ensure the safety of employees, residents, visitors or customers, setting out rights and responsibilities in respect of fire safety.
Anyone who has control, to any extent, of any premises will have some responsibilities for ensuring that those occupying the premises are safe from harm caused by fire.
The legislation places a duty on those responsible for fire safety within relevant premises to carry out a fire risk assessment. These people are defined in the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 as Duty Holders.
A fire risk assessment is a key document, providing a description of the building, its use and persons who are at risk. It is the statutory requirement for the Responsible Person/Duty Holder to ensure that a current and valid fire risk assessment is in place.
The legislation requires the Responsible Person/Duty Holder to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable the safety of employees and public and to take such fire safety measure as is reasonable practicable, to ensure the safety of persons lawfully on the premises and in the vicinity in respect of harm caused by fire.
The legislation applies to all commercial premises and the communal areas of residential premises, including factories, offices, shops, licensed premises as well as communal areas of flats, HMOs, care homes, supported living, etc.
The legislation requires the actual fire risk assessment to be carried out by a “competent person”. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service provides advice on this matter which you can access here:
I am a technical member of the IFPO* (membership number 2278) and possess a NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety and Risk Management. My experiences in architectural services over many years gave me a particular insight into managing fire risk strategies in design, which I utilised to develop my skills further, gaining my NEBOSH qualification to extend this into carrying out fire risk assessments generally.
I carry Professional Indemnity Cover up to £500,000.
Scottish Fire Service Advice on Fire Safety
My main areas of my expertise are:
- Fire risk assessments
- Building Regulations applications and consultations
- I can also assist in helping your business develop your Fire Safety Arrangements and supporting documentation.
I carry Professional Indemnity Cover up to £500,000.
If you require assistance in carrying out your obligations as a duty holder/responsible person, I can arrange to carry out your fire risk assessment on your behalf at competitive rates.
*The Institute of Fire Prevention Officers (IFPO) are holders of a professional body registration scheme as identified in the Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council's Guide to choosing a competent Fire Risk Assessor. For further information, see link below.
Click the button below to download a free Fire Safety Log Book.
Download free Fire Safety log