Why do I need a fire risk assessment?
- Identifies any fire hazards in your premises.
- Fire prevention – reduces risk of fire.
- Fire protection – what physical fire protection do you have if there is a fire?
- Management process – protect people from fire by establishing emergency planning, necessary training, roles and responsibilities in the event of a fire.
- New Regulations from 1st October 2023 state that all non-domestic premises must have a current fire risk assessment.
- If you do not feel confident in completing your fire risk assessment, contact a professional fire risk assessor. For more information click here.
Identify Fire Hazards
Identifying hazards when completing your fire risk assessment dramatically reduces the chance of experiencing a fire.
A fire hazard is anything that can start a fire, such as ignition sources or combustible materials.
Electrical equipment, housekeeping, portable heaters, and arson are all potential risks.
Festive fire hazards: consider the following:
- Do you have extra stock for the festive season?
- Have you increased the display area in the shop?
- Do you have flammable decorations or foliage?
- Take care not to overload sockets or extension cables, ensure that the electrical equipment or sockets are not faulty, there are no visible scorch marks, and cables are not frayed or damaged.
- Check there is sufficient ventilation around the electrical items and sockets.
- Check there are no trailing extension cables that can cause trips and falls.
- Ensure halogen lamps or any display lighting is not too close to other potential flammable products.
- Ensure LPG canisters are stored correctly.
- Anything that is combustible is fuel for a fire. Check for products that have the potential to catch fire and spread easily and quickly to other combustible products, and make sure they are stored safely away from ignition sources.
- Some cleaning products, photocopier chemicals, paints, varnishes and adhesives will also need to be stored securely and safely.
- Clear unwanted packaging materials frequently, stationery and decorations should be kept to a minimum.
- Artificial foliage is now a popular and fashionable method for decorating the interiors of many premises. When ignited, the fire will develop and spread rapidly, and may stop people from making a safe escape.
This picture shows how the material burns when exposed to flame, even when covered with fire retardant spray; the material melts and droplets fall from above (potentially on to people trying to escape).
Tinsel and other flammable decorations have similar burning patterns, so take care if you are decorating your premises and keep any ignition sources clear of the area.
Chemicals
Some chemicals (oxidising materials) provide additional oxygen when they burn and will assist fire pread. These chemicals should be identified on their container. For example, pyrotechnics (fireworks), contain oxidising materials and need to be stored in a secure container.
Care must be taken when using oxygen supplied by cylinders during hot welding processes.
Checklist
- Have you identified all potential ignition sources?
- Have you identified all fuel sources?
- Have you identified any sources of oxygen?
- Have you recorded all your findings?
For further information click here.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service supports local businesses and recognises their importance to the community. We are committed to keeping people and buildings safe.