National Fire Risk Assessment Centre

• Site conducted

  Select

• Assessor

• Date of Assessment

  Date

• Date of Next Assessment Review

  Date
• Location
  Address

Introduction and Scope

• This Fire Risk Assessment is designed to highlight all the relevant fire safety issues appertaining to your premises. The extent of the survey undertaken is dependent on levels of access to various parts of the building. It is not always practical to assess areas such as ceiling voids and wall cavities but where there are concerns that further special assessment of these areas is required, this will be highlighted within the report.

• In this report:
  • Where relevant facts in relation to the premises were not visually apparent on the date of our inspection, we have relied on the information and/or responses provided by or on behalf of the Employer or other Responsible Person.
  • We have assumed that all relevant building regulations were complied with in the construction of the premises, including any extension(s), conversion(s), renovation(s) and refurbishment(s).
  • Unless otherwise stated, we have assumed that at the premises (I) all fire safety equipment, including fire doors and fire-resistant partitions and (ii) all servicing of fire safety equipment has been installed or carried out (as the case may be) by persons competent to do so and in accordance with all applicable standards.
  • We have not looked in roof spaces or other hidden areas in the premises except where there was an obvious fire hazard, which reasonably required further investigation.
  • We have assumed that information and documentation supplied to us by or on behalf of the Employer or other Responsible Person who has a bearing on this Fire Risk Assessment is current, true, accurate and not misleading.
  • The term ‘Responsible Person’ has the meaning given to it in The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

• This report reflects the circumstances found at the time of the inspection and does not take away the duties
  imposed on the Responsible Person for ensuring effective fire safety management within the premises on a day-to-day basis.

• Photo

  Media

• Responsible person (e.g. employer) or persons having control of the premises:

• Position:

• Premises name / Employer:

• Address of Premises:
  Address

• UPRN:

• Premises contact number:

• Person/s consulted if not 'Responsible Person'

• Date of fire risk assessment:

  Date

• Details of previous assessment:

• Date of previous fire risk assessment:

  Date

• Emergency protocol?

• Risk Rating

  Low

  Medium

  High

• Suggested date for review: This fire risk assessment should be reviewed by a competent person by the date indicated or at such earlier time as there is reason to suspect that it is no longer valid, or if there has been a significant change in the matters to which it relates, or if a fire occurs.

  Date

• The purpose of this report is to provide an assessment of the risk to life from fire in these premises, and, where appropriate, to make recommendations to ensure compliance with fire safety legislation. The report does not address the risk to property or business continuity from fire.

• Assessor's Name and Signature:

  Sign

• Date:

  Date

General Information

1. The Premises

• Total number of floors, including basement floors in the building:

• What are the total number of floors included in the risk assessment?

• Approximate floor area in m2 of the footprint of the building

• Approximate total floor area in M2 of all floors surveyed:

• Number of occupiers in the building

• Description of property

• Brief details of construction

• Use of premises

2. The Occupants

• Approximate maximum number in the premises:

• Approximate number of employees in the premises at any one time:

• Maximum number of members of public at any one time:

• Associated times/hours of occupation:

• Approximate number of people who sleep in the premises:

• Number of persons in the premises who require special assistance i.e., disabled children, language barriers etc.:

• When used as a place of public assembly, the maximum number of persons admitted should not exceed:

• Floor name or number:

• Floor/room/space type:

• Final occupancy Figure for room/area:

3. Occupants Especially at Risk from Fire

• Sleeping occupants:

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• How many?

• Further comment

• Disabled occupants:

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• How many?

• Further comment

• Occupants in remote areas and lone workers:

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• How many?

• Further comment

• Young persons:

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• How many?

• Further comment

• Others:

4. Fire Loss Experience

• Date

  Date

• Reported by

• Location
  Address

• Details

• Probable cause

• Recommendations

5. Other Relevant Information

• Comments by assessor.

6. Relevant Fire Safety Legislation

• The following fire safety legislation applies to these premises:

• The above legislation is enforced by:

• Other legislation that makes significant requirements for fire precautions in these premises (Other than the Building Regulations 2010):

• The legislation referenced above is enforced by:

• Comments and observations

Fire Hazards and Their Elimination or Control

7. Electrical Sources of Ignition

• Are reasonable measures taken to prevent fires of electrical origin?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• are fixed electrical circuits periodically inspected and tested

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Name of the company maintaining the system:

• Add date of last known test

  Date

• Has portable appliance testing (where appropriate) carried out?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Last tested by:

  Date

• Add date of last known test:

  Date

• Suitable policy regarding the use of personal electrical appliances?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Suitable limitation of trailing leads and adapters?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required to prevent fires of electrical origin?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

8. Smoking

• Are reasonable measures taken to prevent fires as a result of smoking?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is smoking prohibited in the premises?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is smoking prohibited in appropriate areas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the appropriate signage displayed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Suitable arrangements for those who wish to smoke?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• This policy appeared to be observed at time of inspection?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required to prevent fires in relation to smoking?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

9. Arson

• Does basic security against arson by outsiders appear reasonable? - Reasonable only in the context of this fire risk assessment. If specific advice on security (including security against arson) is required, the advice of a security specialist should be obtained.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there an absence of unnecessary fire load in close proximity to the premises or available for ignition by outsiders?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Have there been any recent arson occurrences, deliberate ignition or vandalism?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required to prevent deliberate fires?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

10. Portable Heaters and Heating Installations

• Is the use of portable heaters avoided as far as practicable?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the use of the more hazardous type (e.g., radiant bar fires or lpg appliances) avoided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are suitable measures taken to minimise the hazard of ignition of combustible materials by heaters?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are fixed heating installations subject to regular maintenance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Last tested by:

  Date

• Are there any other measures required to prevent fires involving heaters or heating?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

11. Cooking & Catering

• Are reasonable measures taken to prevent fires as a result of cooking?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are domestic type catering facilities provided e.g. tea, coffee, microwave, toaster?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are cookers, deep fat fryers or hobs in use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Filters changed and ductwork cleaned regularly?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are appropriate cut-off switches provided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Suitable extinguishing appliances available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

12. Lightning

• Do the premises have a lightning protection system?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Who is the company that carries out the test?

• Are there any other measures required to prevent fires involving lightning?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

13. Housekeeping

• Is the standard of housekeeping adequate?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Combustible materials appear to be separated from ignition sources?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate storage of hazardous materials?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Avoidance of inappropriate storage of combustible materials?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there excessive display materials on walls and corridors or in protected routes?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required to prevent fires involving combustible materials?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

14. Hazards Introduced by Outside Contractors and Building Works

• Are fire safety conditions imposed on outside contractors?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If there are in-house maintenance personnel, are suitable precautions taken during “hot work”, including use of “hot work” permits?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required to prevent fires when building works are being carried out or contractors are working on site?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

15. Dangerous Substances

• Are the general fire precautions adequate to address the hazards associated with dangerous substances used or stored within the premises?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all flammable liquids cleaning products and chemicals stored in suitable areas and in containers away from potential sources of ignition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required to prevent fires involving chemicals or flammable materials?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

16. Other Significant Fire Hazards That Warrant Consideration Including Process Hazards That Impact on General Fire Precautions

• Are there any hot processes other than cooking taking place in the premises?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other hazards that should be noted?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Fire Protection Measures

17. Fire Protection Measures Means of Escape from Fire

• It is considered that the premises are provided with reasonable means of escape in case of fire.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Adequate design of escape routes?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Adequate provision of exits?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Exits easily and immediately operable where necessary?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Fire exits open in direction of escape where necessary?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are electronic securing devices fitted on any doors forming part of the means of escape appropriately fitted and tested?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there satisfactory means for securing exits?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Avoidance of sliding or revolving doors as fire exits where necessary?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to the fire exit routes?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Reasonable Distances Travelled

• Where there is a single direction of travel?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where there are alternative means of escape?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Suitable fire precautions for all inner rooms?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are escape routes unobstructed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• It is considered that the premises are provided with reasonable arrangements for means of escape for disabled people.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to travel distances?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Structural Means of Escape

• Are the escape routes provided with the necessary level of fire protection?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do all fire-resisting doors appear to comply to BS476?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the flat entrance doors be considered suitable fire doors in their current state?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the intake and riser cupboard doors be considered as suitable fire doors in their current state?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the communal fire doors be considered as suitable fire doors in their current state?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the fire doors held or wedged in the open position by irregular means?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are any approved hold open devices fitted to fire doors properly fitted and suitably signed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to the structural means of escape?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• External Staircase and Escape Routes

• Is the external staircase suitable and sufficient and in good condition?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are any doors or windows (other than toilet windows), which open onto or are adjacent to, external staircases, balconies, and gangways, which are used for means of escape purposes, or are within 1.8 metres horizontally or 9 metres vertically of it, fire resisting?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the external escape route from the building considered satisfactory?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to the external escape routes from the building?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

18. Measures to Limit Fire Spread and Development

• Is compartmentation of a reasonable standard. Based on visual inspection of readily accessible areas, with a degree of sampling where appropriate

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Reasonable limitation of linings that might promote fire spread.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• As far as can reasonably be ascertained, fire dampers are provided as necessary to protect critical means of escape against passage of fire, smoke and combustion products in the early stages of a fire? A full investigation of the design of HVAC systems is outside the scope of this fire risk assessment.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• What type/s of smoke ventilation measures are present?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do escape routes have adequate openable vents for smoke clearance and are they at least equal to 1.5m2 per floor / section?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to fire separation or compartmentation

  Yes

  No

  N/A

19. Emergency Escape Lighting

• Reasonable standard of emergency escape lighting system provided? Based on visual inspection, but no test of luminance levels or verification of full compliance with relevant British Standards carried out.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the system tested to comply with BS 5266-8?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the system serviced to comply with BS 5266-8?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Add date of last known service

  Date

• Are there any other measures required in relation to emergency lighting?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

20. Fire Safety Signs and Notices

• Is there a reasonable standard of fire exit signage?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Reasonable provision of other fire safety signs and notices?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do the signs comply to the Health & Safety (Signs & Signals) Regulations 1996 or British Standard 5499-10?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there suitable and sufficient Fire Action notices?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the assembly point suitably signed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to fire safety signs and notices?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

21. Means of Giving Warning in Case of Fire

• Is there a satisfactory means of raising the alarm in the event of a fire?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Reasonable manually operated electrical fire alarm system provided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the fire alarm system tested on a weekly basis?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the system serviced on an annual basis to comply to BS 5839 –1?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Who is the company that carries out the service?

• Add date of last known service

  Date

• Remote transmission of alarm signals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is a fire alarm zone plan provided adjacent to the fire alarm panel?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to the means of giving warning in case of fire?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

22. Manual Fire Extinguishing Appliances

• Reasonable provision of portable fire extinguishers

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hose reels provided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all fire extinguishing appliances readily accessible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all extinguishers fitted on wall brackets or provided with floor stands?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any dry powder extinguishers in the building?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all extinguishers tested in accordance with British Standard 5306?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Who is the company maintaining the extinguishers?

• Add date of last known attendance

  Date

• Are there any other measures required in relation to fire extinguishing appliances?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

23. Relevant Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems

• Other Relevant Type of Fixed Systems and Equipment

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Who is the company maintaining the system:

• Are there any other measures required in relation to fire extinguishing appliances?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

24. Fire Fighter Safety – Access & Water Supplies

• Are access roads for Fire & Rescue Service vehicles satisfactory

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there good access to the building for firefighters

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there adequate and local water supplies available

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there an ‘Emergency Folder’ with sufficient information and plans for firefighters?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there external signage to warn firefighters of significant hazards?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there suitable provision of fire-fighters switches for high voltage luminous tube signs, etc

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the responsible person aware of any environmental issues as a consequence of a fire in the building

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where the premises forms part of a building with other premises, or the landlord has responsibility for common areas, have arrangements been made to cooperate and coordinate others regarding risks?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

25. Management of Fire Safety Procedures and Arrangements

• Fire safety is managed by:

• Competent person(s) appointed to assist in undertaking the preventive and protective measures (i.e., relevant general fire precautions)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a suitable record of the fire safety arrangements? Specifically, policy arrangements for the planning, organising, controlling, monitoring and reviewing of the fire safety arrangements?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where the premises forms part of a building with other premises, or the landlord has responsibility for common areas, have arrangements been made to cooperate and coordinate others regarding risks?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to management issues?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Procedures

• Appropriate fire procedures in place?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are procedures in the event of fire appropriate and properly documented?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there suitable arrangements for summoning the fire and rescue service?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there suitable arrangements to meet the fire and rescue service on arrival and provide relevant information, including that relating to hazards to fire-fighters?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there suitable arrangements for ensuring that the premises have been evacuated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there a suitable fire assembly point(s)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to the fire procedures?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Arrangements

• Persons nominated and trained to use fire extinguishing appliances?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Persons nominated and trained to assist with evacuation, including evacuation of disabled people?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate liaison with fire and rescue service (e.g., by fire and rescue service crews visiting for familiarisation visits)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Routine in-house inspections of fire precautions (e.g., in the course of health and safety inspections)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to the fire arrangements?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contractors

• When the employees of another employer work in the premises is their employer given appropriate information (e.g. on fire risks and general fire precautions)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• When the employees of another employer work in the premises are they provided with adequate instructions and information?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to the management of contractors?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

26. Training & Drills

• Training

• Are all staff given adequate fire safety instruction and training on induction?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are all staff given adequate periodic “refresher training” at suitable intervals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does all staff training provide information, instruction or training appropriate to their responsibilities and applicable to their role? Including: Fire risks in the premises, the fire safety measures on the premises, Action in the event of fire, Action on hearing the fire alarm signal, Method of operation of manual call points, Location and use of fire extinguishers, means for summoning the fire and rescue service, Identity of persons nominated to assist with evacuation, Identity of persons nominated to use fire-extinguishing appliances.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are staff with special responsibilities given additional training?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to training?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Drills

• Are fire drills carried out at appropriate intervals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Date of last fire drill:

  Date

• Are there any other measures required in relation to fire drills?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

27. Testing & Maintenance

• Testing

• Weekly testing and periodic servicing of fire detection and alarm system?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Monthly and annual testing routines for emergency escape lighting?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Annual maintenance of fire extinguishing appliances?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Periodic inspection of external escape staircases and gangways?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Six-monthly inspection and annual testing of rising mains?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Weekly and monthly testing, six-monthly inspection and annual testing of fire-fighting lifts?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to testing and maintenance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Maintenance & Routine Checks

• Routine checks of final exit doors and/or security fastenings?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are suitable systems in place for reporting and subsequent restoration of safety measures that have fallen below standard?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to routine maintenance or checks?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other relevant inspections or tests?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

28. Records

• Appropriate records of fire drills?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate records of fire training?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate records of fire alarm tests?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate records of emergency escape lighting tests?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Appropriate records of maintenance and testing of other fire protection systems?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there any other measures required in relation to the maintenance of records?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Fire Risk Assessment Methodology

• The following simple fire risk level estimator is based on a commonly used health and safety risk level estimator.

  

• Considering the fire prevention measures observed at the time of this risk assessment, it is considered that the hazard from fire (likelihood of fire) at these premises is:

  Low

  Medium

  High

• In this context, a definition of the above terms is as follows:
  
  Low - Unusually low likelihood of fire, as a result of negligible potential sources of ignition.
  Medium - Normal fire hazards (e.g. potential ignition sources) for this type of occupancy with fire hazards generally subject to appropriate controls (other than minor shortcomings).
  High - Lack of adequate controls applied to one or more significant fire hazards, such as to result in significant increase in likelihood of fire.

• Considering, the nature of the premises and the occupants, as well as the fire protection and procedural arrangements observed at the time of this fire risk assessment, it is considered that the consequences for life safety in the event of fire would be:

  Slight Harm

  Moderate Harm

  Extreme Harm

• In this context, a definition of the above terms is as follows:
  
  Slight harm - Outbreak of fire unlikely to result in serious injury or death of any occupant (other than an occupant sleeping in a room in which a fire occurs).
  Moderate harm - Outbreak of fire could foreseeably result in injury (including serious injury) of one or more occupants, but it is unlikely to involve multiple fatalities.
  Extreme harm - Significant potential for serious injury or death of one or more occupants.

• Accordingly, it is considered that at the time of the survey the risk to life from fire at these premises is:

  Trivial

  Tolerable

  Moderate

  Substantial

  Intolerable

• A suitable risk-based control plan should involve effort and urgency that is proportional to risk. The following risk-based control plan is based on one that has been advocated for general health and safety risks:
  
  Risk level - Action and timescale
  Trivial - No action is required, and no detailed records need be kept.
  Tolerable - No major additional fire precautions required. However, there might be a need for reasonably practicable improvements that involve minor or limited cost.
  Moderate - It is essential that efforts are made to reduce the risk. Risk reduction measures, which should take cost into account, should be implemented within a defined time period. Where moderate risk is associated with consequences that constitute extreme harm, further assessment might be required to establish more precisely the likelihood of harm as a basis for determining the priority for improved control measures.
  Substantial - Considerable resources might have to be allocated to reduce the risk. If the premises are unoccupied, it should not be occupied until the risk has been reduced. If the premises are occupied, urgent action should be taken.
  Intolerable - Premises (or relevant area) should not be occupied until the risk is reduced.

• (Note that, although the purpose of this section is to place the fire risk in context, the above approach to fire risk assessment is subjective and for guidance only. All hazards and deficiencies identified in this report should be addressed by implementing all recommendations contained in the following action plan. The fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly.)

Action Plan

• It is considered necessary that all recommendations in the Action Plan be implemented to reduce fire risk to, or maintain it at, the following level:

  Trivial

  Tolerable

  Moderate

  Substantial

  Intolerable

Priority

• INTOLERABLE risks will be notified at the time of inspection and should be cleared immediately. If this is not possible the premises Fire Safety Manager will be contacted and advised of the serious risk and the need for immediate action.
  
  SUBSTANTIAL risks are set as a HIGH priority within the action plan and action should be taken to rectify them within 1 month.
  
  MODERATE risks are set as MEDIUM priority within the action plan and action should be taken to rectify them within three months, or to be reduced in severity to a tolerable risk until the defect can be rectified.
  
  TOLERABLE risks have a LOW priority within the action plan and action should be taken to rectify them within six months.
  
  TRIVIAL risks will be included as advisory action with no time period for completion.
  
  The time for rectification is judged reasonable for the risk category but the rectification should be as soon as possible and within the time set by the company’s policy on such matters

Sign-off

• Assessor

  Sign

• Date

  Date