Guide to Fire Risk Assessments for London Businesses

Fires are a noticeable hazard when it comes to commercial properties in London. This is why it’s essential to abide by legal guidelines, understanding what your responsibilities are, and make sure to focus on them as expected.

This guide will take a look at the importance of a fire risk assessment for businesses, what it entails, and what to look for.

What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire risk assessment is a verified analysis of a building’s current fire risk. This includes offering insight into potential changes that can be made to reduce this risk.

What Is Reviewed in a Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire risk assessment needs to be all-encompassing and understand the role of different risk variables.

For commercial properties, there are strict standards in place for what’s permitted and what’s not. This includes understanding the complexities of the layout and the type of work being done during the day.

In general, businesses that are set up in a small shop are not going to have the same standards as a hotel building. However, both are going to have inherent risk factors that need to be cared for.

Here is a general checklist of what the fire risk assessment is going to include:

1. On-Site Electrical Equipment (Possible Ignition Risk)
2. General Layout of the Commercial Building
3. Risk of Fires Caused By Lightning
4. The Number of Occupants in the Building (Capacity)
5. Arson Protection
6. History of Fire Loss
7. Presence of Smoking Areas
8. The Storage of Combustible Materials
9. Fire Risk with Installed Heating Devices
10. Storage of Flammable Liquids
11. Fire Hazards of Building Works
12. The Presence and Usability of a Fire Alarm System
13. Emergency Lightning in Different Parts of the Building
14. Layout of the Escape Routes
15. Appropriate Use and Installation of Fire Safety Signs
16. Solutions for Limiting Fire Spread
17. Installation of a Sprinkler System for Fires
18. Correct Use and Installation of Fire Extinguishers
19. Comprehensive Maintenance and Testing Processes for Fire Safety Systems
20. Fire Safety Rules and Regulations in the Building
21. Fire Safety Documentation for the Building
22. Evacuation Drills and Fire Safety Training for Employees

Who Completes the Fire Risk Assessment in London?

There are specific guidelines in place for any commercial fire risk assessment. It’s recommended to seek a qualified fire risk assessor for the task not only to meet legal guidelines but also to assure all safety standards are met.

The professional will have to go through a variety of steps to make sure the property is safe and free of major fire risks.

This includes clearly listing all relevant findings, putting together a comprehensive fire safety action plan, offering a way to complete each recommendation, and ensuring the fire risk assessment is up-to-date with current legal guidelines.

By having a professional fire risk assessor on-site, it’s possible to see good results and make sure things progress as intended.

The specialist is going to have comprehensive and up-to-date training for what’s required. This includes a good understanding of commercial fire risk assessment guidelines.

How to Obtain the Latest Fire Risk Assessment?

For those who want to get their hands on the latest fire risk assessment, it’s best to go through the records especially if this is the first time you are going to be calling in a fire risk assessor since moving in.

Most building owners are going to have this information readily available during the initial transaction. If the commercial building is being leased, make sure to speak to the owner right away for this information. It can also help answer questions the fire risk assessor is going toe have during the process.

Consequences of an Outdated Fire Risk Assessment

There are several consequences associated with not moving forward with a comprehensive fire risk assessment. The obvious concern has to do with endangering both employees and customers walking into the building. However, there are legal standards in place for what a commercial building needs to do about fire risks. If these standards are not upheld, there are fines and/or prison sentences that can be doled out by the justice system.

To avoid a situation such as this, please take the time to reach out to a fire risk assessment companies in London and have the property assessed in detail right away.