Premises Fire Risk Assessment - Version 4

Other guidance documentation:

Enforcing Authority:

**(Documentary Evidence) Check fixed electrical installation test records for 5 yearly inspections.

**(Documentary Evidence) Pre-use visual inspection to be undertaken for all portable appliances.

Are staff allowed to bring in their own electrical equipment?

Portable appliances must only be used for the purpose they were designed for.

Electrical equipment must be switched off at the socket or unplugged when not in use.

Are electrical socket outlets in good condition (no signs of damage or charring).

Ensure that socket outlets are not overloaded. (Check electrical equipment to ensure load on the socket outlet does not exceed 13 Amps).

**(Documentary Evidence) Ensure use of hot work ‘permits to work’ by contractors and employees

Replace naked flame and radiant heaters with convector heaters or central heating system.

Ensure ducts and flues are regularly maintained and cleaned e.g. furnaces, fire places, boilers, water heaters, commercial cooking equipment

Are gas interlocks/emergency shut off fitted to kitchen appliances/extraction units?

**Do security systems minimise risk of unauthorised access (reducing potential for arson) including access procedures for visitors to the premises?

Smoking has been prohibited by law in enclosed and substantially enclosed work and public places throughout the U.K since 2007. Check for any signs of discarded smoking materials. Provide receptacles for cigarette ends and other smoking materials. (Separate from other litter bins/receptacles). Provide receptacles for cigarette ends and other smoking materials. (Separate from other litter bins/receptacles).

Are any sources of ignition in the vicinity of any combustible materials?

**(Documentary Evidence) Ensure gas certificates for the building, domestic and commercial. Gas Safety (Installations and Use) Regulations 1998.

Ensure good general housekeeping.

Ensure common areas free of excess combustible materials.

Prevent unauthorised access to combustible materials.

Ensure plant rooms (e.g. electrical switch rooms, boiler rooms, etc.) are clear of combustible materials.

If the use of flammable substances are unavoidable they should be handled, transported, stored, and used properly. (Has a risk assessment been carried out? Has information/training been provided)? Store flammable substances in fire resisting stores or cabinets and away from ignition sources. Do not store in plant rooms (e.g. electrical switch rooms, boiler rooms).

If the “Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations” (DSEAR) apply Check risk assessments.

Are waste bins stored safely and correctly?

Does furniture meet the required standards? - Upholstered commercial seating must comply with BS 5852 resistant to ignition sources. - Upholstered furniture, furnishings and textiles must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) regulations 1988 (as amended). - Upholstered furniture and office equipment for non-domestic premises should be fire retardant and comply with BS 7176:2007.

Are windows, doors and other openings not required for ventilation and safe operation of equipment (e.g. gas fired equipment) kept closed, particularly out of working hours?

Are there any additional sources of oxygen?

Control the use and storage of oxygen cylinders (secure racking/storage, etc.).

Are oxidising materials stored near to any heat source or flammable materials.

**(Documentary Evidence) Check maintenance records for automatic / manual smoke ventilation systems.

**(Documentary Evidence) If fitted ensure Lightening Conductors are tested/inspected annually?

Has work taken place which may have made holes in walls or damaged any fire resistant wall/ceiling linings? E.g. new doors, glazed screens, check for services between walls and floors.

Areas with suspended ceilings must be separated from escape routes (corridors, stairways) with fire resisting partitions. Fire-resisting partitions must continue to the main structure of the building (i.e. no gap in the ceiling void through which fire could spread).

Check notice/display boards, wall paper, paintings, decorations etc. do not compromise/increase the potential surface spread of flames.

Ensure floor areas are kept clear from tripping hazards and flooring is in good condition (no loose or frayed flooring).

Are carpets and nosings on stairs in good condition?

Check all external routes including metal escape stairways. Check for : - Damage / corrosion - Build-up of moss/vegetation or other hazards - Trip hazards or obstructions

**(Documentary Evidence) Is the Fire Alarm connected to a monitoring centre?

Do detectors/ link to a local alarm panel?

** (Documentary Evidence) Occupier to ensure operation of a different call point each week on a rotational basis. Ensure tests are recorded.

**(Documentary Evidence) Ensure competent engineer services alarm system including detectors and callpoints at least annually. Check for records.

Is there a zone plan adjacent to the fire alarm panel?

In noisy areas (where audible signals may not be heard) and where people with impaired hearing may be, then alternative types of alarms maybe necessary. e.g. visual alarms or vibrating systems.

Ensure temporary smoke detector covers are removed immediately after the potential for false alarms have passed.

Consider installation of additional smoke/heat detection in "high risk" and unoccupied areas e.g boiler rooms, basements, refuge or recycling areas.

In noisy areas (where audible signals may not be heard) and where people with impaired hearing may be, then alternative types of alarms maybe necessary. e.g. visual alarms or vibrating systems.

Ensure temporary smoke detector covers are removed immediately after the potential for false alarms have passed.

Consider installation of additional smoke/heat detection in "high risk" and unoccupied areas e.g boiler rooms, basements, refuge or recycling areas.

Consider the use of an automatic fire warning system where other methods of raising the alarm are used.

**Do apartments doors open into communal area?

Do individual apartments have automatic detection?

Is detection connected to a fire alarm panel?

**Are service records available?

**(Documentary Evidence) Fire doors should be inspected monthly and recorded in the fire log book.

Fire doors on escape routes and doors from places of public assembly should open in the direction of travel.

Fire doors on escape routes should be fitted with self-closing devices and labelled ‘Fire Door – Keep Shut’ (blue ‘mandatory’ safety sign). Check the self-closing device operates correctly. Fire escape doors should close fully into the rebate and be in a good state of repair.

Are fire door components in good working order? Check that cold smoke seals and intumescent strips are in good condition (not cut, damaged or painted) and that there are three hinges present per door (100mm steel material).

Vision panels should not be obscured and fitted with fire safety glass.

Other fire doors (e.g. to electrical cupboards, service ducts, boiler rooms) need not be self-closing where they are kept locked and labelled with ‘Fire Door – Keep Locked' (blue mandatory safety sign).

Are escape routes short enough to enable all people in the building to get to a place of safety outside the building in approx. two to three minutes? Where more than one escape route is provided: - 25m for Higher fire-risk areas. - 45m in normal fire-risk areas. - 60m in lower fire- risk areas. Where only a single escape route is provided - 12m in higher fire-risk areas. - 18m in normal fire-risk areas. - 25m in lower fire-risk areas.

Escape routes must be free from any obstacle that may cause undue delay to disabled people (e.g. raised thresholds or steps). Where minor changes of level cannot be avoided, a ramp conforming to BS5810 should be provided. Changes in level that are not obvious should be marked to make them conspicuous and appropriately illuminated (emergency and primary). Escape routes must be free of; portable heaters of any type, cooking appliances, temporarily stored items, flammable substances, waste bins and electrical equipment (other than security and emergency systems).

Check that final exit doors can be opened easily and immediately without the use of a key . Check that no ‘unauthorised’ security work has been carried out on final fire exit doors. e.g. doors nailed, chained or padlocked shut, etc.

Final fire exit doors are free from obstructions (inside and outside). Where there is a risk of obstruction, final fire doors should be labelled ‘Fire Door – Keep Clear’.

Corridors should generally be a minimum of 1 metre wide. Areas used by wheelchair users require a minimum width of 1.2 metres.

Where doors are likely to be used by wheelchair users, the doorway should be at least 775mm wide (clear unobstructed opening in existing buildings).

Stairways should generally be a minimum of 1 metre wide (150 people) or 1.1 metre (220 people). Stairways wider than 1.4 metres should be provided with a central handrail.

Is fire directional / final exits signage appropriate (pictogram) throughout the building?

Automatic doors should fail safe in the event of a fire alarm activation or power failure.

Automatic fire doors must be labelled ‘Automatic Fire Door – Keep Clear’ (blue mandatory safety sign).

Ensure signs stating ‘lifts must not be used in the event of a fire’ are posted outside all lifts, unless it is a specifically designed ‘fire fighting lift, or evacuation lift.

**(Documentary Evidence) Fire Fighting Lifts: Check maintenance/inspection records.

Minimum dimensions for refuges should be 900 x 1400mm (to allow for wheelchair manoeuvring). The positioning and size of refuges should not have an adverse effect on the means of escape provided and should be clearly identified with a green ‘safe area’ safety sign.

Are there a means of escape or communication in refuges? Refuges must be used within the context that they are not areas where people should be left alone indefinitely until rescued, or until the fire is extinguished.

Where a refuge is a lobby or stairway a blue mandatory safety sign must be posted stating ‘Refuge – Keep Clear’.

**(Documentary Evidence) Occupier should check the operation of emergency lighting units at least monthly. Ensure record of check made in fire log book

**(Documentary Evidence) A competent engineer should test emergency lighting system yearly. Ensure record of test made in fire log book.

Emergency lighting should cover escape routes and be sited to cover specific areas. E.g. intersections of corridors, each exit door, flights of stairs, near fire alarm call points, fire exit signs, and changes in floor level and near fire fighting equipment.

All escape routes should be sufficiently lit for people to see their way out safely. Emergency escape lights may be needed if areas of the workplace are without natural daylight or are used at night. Check external lighting,(e.g. emergency, security and street lighting).

**(Documentary Evidence) Are monthly inspections of extinguishers carried out and recorded?

**(Documentary Evidence) Check extinguishers including hose reels are inspected annually by a competent engineer. Check for records in fire log book.

Ensure extinguisher types are appropriate to the local risk.

Ensure sufficient extinguishers are available. Ideally no one should have to travel more than 30m to reach a fire extinguisher.

Ensure extinguishers are fixed near final exit doors or call points and at appropriate heights. (Handle of large extinguishers – approx. 1 metre from floor. Handle of small hand held extinguishers – approx. 1.5 metres from floor).

Ensure that fire extinguishers, hose reels, etc. are conspicuous (not blocked, obscured etc.).

Light duty blankets for small fires in containers of cooking oils or fats and fires involving clothing. Tabs on fire blankets should be approximately 1.5 metres from the floor.

**(Documentary Evidence) Sprinkler systems: Check maintenance records.

**(Documentary Evidence) Dry and wet risers: Check records of 6 monthly visual and 12 monthly pressure checks.

Dry and wet risers must be labelled ‘dry riser’ or ‘wet riser’ as appropriate (red ‘fire fighting equipment’ safety signs).

Dry and wet risers: Check padlocks and straps are in place and undamaged on landing valves.

**(Documentary Evidence) Do new employees receive instruction on the action to take in event of a fire on their first day of employment or following relocation into the premises? Check Records.

**(Documentary Evidence) Do existing employees receive periodic refresher training and/or instruction on what to do in the event of a fire? Check Records.

**(Documentary Evidence) Ensure an adequate number of personnel are trained to assist in an emergency (including additional numbers to cover sickness, leave etc.). e.g. fire wardens and aiding people with mobility impairments, etc.

**(Documentary Evidence) Agreed evacuation procedures should be confirmed in writing to staff. Procedures must be clear and easy to understand. Ensure visitors, contractors and members of the public (if applicable) are considered as part of the plan. Do visitors to the premises e.g. contractors, and members of the public alone receive Induction information (including what do in an emergency, requirement for permits to work and key personnel contact information)?

**(Documentary Evidence) Have the needs and abilities of disabled, sensory impaired and less able-bodied people been considered (including visitors). Planning should take account of the needs of all occupants. It is essential to identify the abilities and needs of disabled people and make proper arrangements for their assistance. Are PEEP`s in place? Specialist medical advice should be consulted as part of the process.

Are the Fire and Evacuation aid(s) appropriately located? e.g Wall Mounted? and have their protective cover on?

Have Fire and Evacuation aids been serviced as recommended by the manufacturers guidance?

Are an adequate number of staff trained in the use of the Fire and Evacuation aids provided?

**(Documentary Evidence) Have Fire Drills been carried out? Have they revealed any relevant issues? (E.g. lack of staff awareness, unable to hear alarm in certain areas). Check records.

Are Fire Assembly Points appropriate (be away from entrances and roadways for access by emergency services. They should provide enough area for all evacuees) with adequate signage?

**(Documentary Evidence) Ensure there is a plan for raising the alarm, calling the Fire and Rescue Service and assembly point locations (Fire Action Notice).

Fire Hydrant: Ensure position is located and the hydrant is unobstructed by cars etc. Are “No Parking” notices fitted?

Total Number of Yes's