Fire Risk Assessments
Trusted, detailed and supportive
At Tamar Safety we understand the challenges that organisations face to remain operational and compliant. Fire safety continues to have an increased focus from Government, Local Authority and Fire and Rescue Service legislation and enforcement. With our support, part of that compliance can be achieved through a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment that is relevant to your workforce and operations.
We actively support the recently published Industry Benchmark Standard for Fire Risk Assessors as developed by the Fire Sector Federation (FSF) and Fire Risk Assessors Working Group and value its purpose to help improve assessor competency and understanding. This new standard also complements A National Framework for Fire Risk Assessor Competency. We are committed to ensuring our competency through a dedicated programme of CPD and professional memberships.
Dave, our lead Fire Risk Assessor, holds the ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment, currently considered to be the highest qualification recognised in the UK and throughout Europe. With his years of experience and qualifications in fire safety management, consultancy and training, Dave is able to complete suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessments with accompanying recommended actions in simple and complex buildings, including:
Educational premises
Factories and warehouses
Healthcare premises
Places of small, medium and large assembly
Offices and shops
Heritage properties
Hotels and sleeping accommodation
Leisure and hospitality venues
Open air events and venues
Animal and stable premises
Transport premises
All Fire Risk Assessments are quoted individually and based on a rate in relation to the size and complexity of your premises. The price quoted will incorporate the on-site inspection, report writing and relevant expenses where applicable.
Contact us to make an enquiry or use our Fire Risk Assessment request form
New legislation has come into force from 23rd January 2023 that places additional fire safety responsibilities on the responsible person of residential buildings that include 2 or more dwellings with shared communal areas. Find out more about the Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 here.
New legislation has come into force from 23rd January 2023 that places additional fire safety responsibilities on the responsible person of residential buildings that include 2 or more dwellings with shared communal areas. Find out more about the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 here.
Please find useful information below about Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) and our support to your organisation.
What is a Fire Risk Assessment?
An FRA is a careful look at your premises and the people who use them from a fire prevention perspective. It's about understanding the potential risks, then improving your fire safety precautions to keep people safe.
Do we need to have a Fire Risk Assessment?
A Fire Risk Assessment is a legal requirement. If you are responsible for a building, for example a employer, owner or occupier of premises that aren't a 'single private dwelling' (a private home), you need to make sure a suitably competent person completes a Fire Risk Assessment. It is your duty to identify fire risks and hazards in your premises and take appropriate action.Â
What if we don't have a Fire Risk Assessment?
An FRA is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and as such, an organisation or individual can receive enforcement action, unlimited fines or imprisonment - or a combination of these.
Who should do a Fire Risk Assessment?
This will depend on how complex your organisation or premises is and your knowledge of fire safety. If your setup is relatively small with simple risks it might be possible to do it yourself, and Government guidance is available here.
However, we would always advise a competent person carry out your FRA, particularly for medium, large, complex and heritage setups.
What does a Fire Risk Assessment involve?
An FRA requires a thorough inspection of the premises, reviewing key documents and interviews with the responsible person and potentially other employees. The more complex the premises, the more detailed the process.
Broadly speaking, an FRA is conducted in 5 key steps:
Identify the fire hazards
Identify people at risk
Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks
Record the findings, prepare an emergency plan and provide training
Review and update the FRA regularly
What documentation do we receive?
Tamar Safety use a standard pro-forma to carry out the assessment and compile your specific, detailed report. The final document is provided as a PDF and comprises of the pro-forma, recommended actions and relevant guidance to your setting and findings.
Who checks that we have a Fire Risk Assessment?
Your local Fire and Rescue Service enforce fire safety legislation, such as the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Fire Safety Act 2021 and Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 - so they will be the primary agency to check your FRA.
Other agencies, depending on your operations, could include your Local Authority, Council, Government Department, insurance provider or Trade Union. An FRA can also be a requirement for various applications, such as a license or planning permission.
How often should a Fire Risk Assessment be completed?
Typically, once an FRA has been completed, it should be reviewed at least annually to ensure identified recommended actions have been completed or in progress. An annual review can be completed by a member of your organisation.
A new FRA should be completed by a competent person every 3-5 years, depending on the level of risk of your operations.
The FRA should also go under a full review following a fire incident; dangerous occurrence; or significant change to the layout, operations or use of the premises.