How Often Should Fire Risk Assessments Be Reviewed or Renewed?
Ensuring Fire Safety and Compliance
Fire safety is a paramount concern for building owners, employers, and occupiers. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places the responsibility on the responsible person to regularly undertake and assess the fire safety procedures in their buildings and workplaces. It is essential to stay proactive in renewing and reviewing your Fire Risk Assessment to ensure compliance with regulations and maintain a safe working environment.
Review your Fire Risk Assessment
The legislation does not specify a specific timeframe for conducting Fire Risk Assessments, but it emphasises the importance of regular reviews. However, according to the order, assessments should be reviewed “regularly so as to keep it up to date.” While the frequency may vary depending on the nature of the premises and associated risks, it is generally considered best practice to review assessments annually. By renewing, you acknowledge that fire safety measures and procedures may need updating due to changes in your premises or advancements in fire safety practices. This proactive approach ensures that your assessment reflects the current state of your workplace.
Additional Legal Requirements and Assessing Health and Safety Risks
In addition to Fire Risk Assessments, employers and self-employed individuals have a legal obligation to assess health and safety risks in the workplace. Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 mandates identifying and controlling such risks. By conducting regular reviews, you demonstrate your commitment to compliance and the safety of your employees.
Triggers for Revisiting the Assessment
Certain events or changes in your premises should trigger a reassessment of your Fire Risk Assessment, regardless of the time elapsed since the last review. These factors include:
- Recommendation by the Fire Risk Assessor or the assessment itself.
- Suspicions that the assessment is no longer valid.
- Structural alterations to the building, both internal and external.
- Occurrence of a fire-related incident, emergency or accident.
- Damage to fire safety equipment (passive or active measures).
- Inadequate maintenance of fire safety provisions.
- Significant changes in personnel or an increase in staff members with disabilities or young employees.
- Modifications to equipment, machinery, furniture, or fixtures.
- Introduction or changes in the storage of hazardous substances.
- Changes in legislation or guidelines.
Recommendations by the Local Government Association (LGA)
The LGA provides guidance on fire safety in purpose-built blocks of flats. For low-rise blocks of up to three storeys above ground, built in the last 20 years, the LGA recommends the following review and renewal intervals:
- Review every 2 years
- Renew every 4 years
For blocks with higher risks or those exceeding three storeys in height, the LGA advises the following intervals:
- Review every year
- Renew every 3 years
In extreme cases, such as the highest-risk buildings, the LGA suggests conducting a new Fire Risk Assessment annually.
Exclusive Offer for Existing Customers
If we have previously conducted your Fire Risk Assessment, we are pleased to offer you a unique opportunity to review or renew your assessment. Our existing customers can take advantage of this service at a highly competitive rate. We value your commitment to fire safety, and we are dedicated to assisting you in maintaining a safe environment for all.
Renewing or reviewing your Fire Risk Assessment is essential to maintaining compliance, enhancing safety, and mitigating the risks of fire incidents. By incorporating best practices, complying with legal requirements, and addressing the specific needs of your premises, you create a secure working environment for all. Stay proactive and demonstrate your commitment to fire safety, prioritise fire safety, and ensure that your Fire Risk Assessment reflects the evolving needs of your business.
Contact us today for advice on Reviewing or Renewing your Fire Risk Assessment.
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FAQ's
Most Frequently Asked Questions
How often should Fire Risk Assessments be renewed?
Fire Risk Assessments should be renewed based on the recommendation of a competent fire risk assessor. Best practices for Fire Risk Assessments reviews suggest conducting them regularly to ensure compliance with building safety regulations and the evolving changes in legislation. By renewing Fire Risk Assessments, building owners can demonstrate their commitment to fire safety compliance. At Fire Risk Consultancy Services, we offer expert assessment services and can provide guidance on the optimal frequency for renewing your Fire Risk Assessments.
What is the recommended frequency for reviewing Fire Risk Assessments?
The frequency of reviewing Fire Risk Assessments depends on various factors. According to compliance regulations, Fire Risk Assessments should be reviewed “regularly” to ensure they are up to date. While the exact timeframe may vary depending on factors such as the size and nature of the building, the recommendation is to review them at least annually, or more frequently if there are significant changes in the building structure or personnel. At Fire Risk Consultancy Services, we can help determine the appropriate review frequency for your specific circumstances to ensure compliance and optimal safety.
Why is it important to review Fire Risk Assessments regularly?
Regularly reviewing Fire Risk Assessments is crucial for maintaining fire safety compliance and the overall safety of the building and its occupants. It helps identify any changes in building safety regulations or updates in legislation that may impact the effectiveness of existing fire risk control measures. By updating and improving fire safety measures based on assessment findings, building owners can mitigate hazards and ensure a safe environment.
Who can review a Fire Risk Assessment?
In many cases, if there have been no significant changes, clients should be competent to carry out the Review of their Fire Risk Assessment, even if it was carried out by a third party originally, provided they were involved enough in the original Fire Risk Assessment to understand the content and the Action Plan. Often the Review is simply a question of checking that the information recorded is still correct, that all necessary maintenance of the fire protection equipment is being carried out, and that all recommended actions have been completed or are in hand. A simple revised Action Plan can then be formulated, and, most importantly, the Review should be recorded.
What are the compliance requirements for Fire Risk Assessment reviews?
Compliance requirements for Fire Risk Assessment reviews involve adhering to building safety regulations and relevant legislation. Building owners have a legal obligation to ensure that Fire Risk Assessments are reviewed by a competent person “regularly” to keep them up to date. This ensures compliance with the regulatory reform and demonstrates a proactive approach to fire safety management. Fire Risk Consultancy Services specialises in assisting clients with meeting compliance requirements and conducting comprehensive Fire Risk Assessment reviews.
How does renewing Fire Risk Assessments contribute to safety?
Renewing Fire Risk Assessments is a proactive measure that contributes to the overall safety of the building and its occupants. It allows for the identification and evaluation of fire hazards, ensuring that appropriate fire risk control measures are in place. By renewing assessments regularly, building owners can address any changes in building structure, personnel, or hazardous substances, making necessary updates to fire safety measures and enhancing overall safety.
Please note that this article provides basic easy-to-understand guidance of fire safety provisions and the key fire safety information required to comply with legislation. Our articles are reviewed regularly. However, any changes made to standards or legislation following the review date will not have been considered. We aim to assist you to understand the fire-related terms within your Fire Risk Assessment. It does not provide detailed technical guidance on all fire safety provisions, and you might require further advice or need to consult the full standards and legislation.