Fire Risk Assessment

To comply to the New Fire Regulatory Reform Order, every business in the UK big or small MUST complete a recorded Fire Risk Assessment of their work place and carry out fire training for their staff. That Means You.

From October 1st 2006 the New Fire Regulatory Reform Order becomes effective. This means you need to understand the law, read on to find out more so you don’t fall foul of it...

Fire Legislation

All existing Fire Legislation will be repealed including the Fire Precautions Act 1971, Fire Safety (Regulatory Reform Order) 2006, Management of Health & Safety in the Fire Safety (Regulatory Reform Order) 2006 + 100 pieces of related legislation. The New Fire Regulatory Reform Order requiring a recorded Fire Risk Assessment became Effective from October 1st 2006.

Revised fire safety regulations concerning all non-domestic premises in England and Wales came into effect this autumn. If you own or use business premises then you need to take action now to ensure you have a adequate fire risk assessment in place. Outline guidance documents.

Existing Fire Legislation
Fire Safety Certificates - With the New Fire Regulatory Reform Order, Fire Safety certificates From the beginning of October 2006, will be no longer issued by fire brigades for the vast majority of commercial undertakings. It is now the responsibilty of every business in the UK big or small to conduct Fire Risk Assessment, Fire Training & Fire Marshall Training.
Fire Legislation Assessment - The employer must conduct fire legislation assessment regardless of the size of the risk, Staff Fire Training, Fire Marshal Training and the provision of fire safety management plans, log books and maintenance of fire safety precautions. Each individual company will be responsible for their own fire safety.
Fire Legislation Scope - The extended Fire Legislation scope of consideration will now include property safety, fire fighter safety and the environment around the site as well as just protecting life. This could mean, for example, that allowing a building to be sacrificed is now unacceptable due to the risk to neighbouring buildings and fire fighters.
Fire Safety Responsibility - Under the new Fire Legislation the responsible person would have a duty to protect the fire brigade and have responsibility for all staff complete Fire Training & Fire Marshall Training as appropriate. Unlike the Fire Safety (Regulatory Reform Order) 2006, the Fire Safety Order also places emphasis on business continuity and containing and preventing the spread of small fires.
The identified responsible person would therefore take full corporate liability. If you run your own business that means YOU!

Is it applicable to my business?

Here we explain some of the Common Misunderstandings about the new legal requirement for Fire Risk Assessment.

Fire Safety Rented Property - Q. I rent my offices so it's not my responsibility, A. WRONG If you rent offices your landlord is only responsible for communal areas such as reception, entrance lobbies, lifts etc but you are fully responsible of your area of working.
Fire Safety Small Business - Q. I am only a two person small business and this new Fire Safety law only applies to larger businesses, A. WRONG No matter how small your business or shop is you are now going to be responsible for the welfare of any staff, visitors and even the Fire Brigade and or the emergency services persons who attend your premises. It requires your attention to carry out a recorded Fire risk Assessment.
Fire Risk Insurance - Q. I am ok as I have full business insurance covering me for fire risk, A. WRONG It doesn’t matter that your currently insured, in the case of a fire related problem any insurance company may well require you to produce your fire risk assessment and implemented procedures BEFORE they will pay out. It’s a matter of the change of law placing the onus of responsibility to you of the fire risk assessment, and you know what insurance companies can be like for procedures and certificates.
Fire Risk Self Assessment - Q. I can do this fire risk assessment myself, A. MAYBE Unless you are aware of the areas to look at and a trained in Fire Risk Management person and certified to be so then you are not sufficiently competent to carry out a fire risk assessment on your own, you can not risk the chance of getting it wrong as your business and insurance protection depends upon it. ASTS do provide a CD rom which can detail the areas of a fire risk assessment - Fire Risk Assessment CD rom

Sample Checklist

Here are just a few of the questions that must be considered by the appointed ‘competent person’ and or business owner carrying out the Fire risk Assessment

Are there sufficient exits for the number of people present?
What constitutes as being ‘sufficient’ and to calculate the occupancy rate and limit of number present.
Are all escape routes adequately lit?
What is ‘adequate’ illumination for an escape route?
Does the office furniture cause could it pose an attributable fire risk?
What is acceptable?
Is there sufficient fire fighting equipment of the correct type in the correct location?
What is "sufficient" and what is the "appropriate" type?
Are the fire extinguishers regularly checked by an approved company and problems recorded?
Where is the record and who constitutes an approved company?
Are all the vents and service ducts correctly protected where necessary to prevent the spread of fire, heat or smoke?
What constitutes correctly protected measures?
Have all staff received adequate fire training from a competent person?
What constitutes adequate fire training and who is a competent person to deliver it?
etc etc

Fire Risk Assessment Service

Let ASTS take away the confusion of the new fire safety legisaltion our their Fire Risk Assessment Service.

Our new fire risk assessment service uses fully qualified experienced fire safety officers to complete your fire risk assessment and the report for you to act upon. We can do this and leave you to run your business and not worrying about the red tape and falling foul of this new law. The Fire Brigade no longer complete out your Fire Risk Assessment.

For more information about our Fire risk Assessment Service: Call 08000 89 70 55 or E-mail

A Fire Risk Assessment is your responsibility now to ensure the safety and welfare of your staff, visitors and your uninterrupted business protection. To do nothing is not an excuse in the face of the law and we at ASTS urge you to take action to protect your business by completing a Fire Risk Assessment in accordance with this new law.

Prices start at just £400 – a small price to pay to keep within the law.

You can no longer ask the local Fire Brigade officers to carry out your Fire Risk Assessment. Our new fire risk assessment service uses fully qualified experienced fire safety officers to complete your fire risk assessment and the report for you to act upon. We can do this and leave you to run your business and not worrying about the red tape and falling foul of this new law.

Find out how you can hire a fully qualified fire safety officer to help with ASTS' - Fire Risk Assessment Service