| Fire poses a major threat to all businesses and | | | | assessment will take a few days to get a true |
| should be of prime importance to any managing | | | | understanding of the patterns of work in your |
| director or boss. The consequences of a fire can | | | | business. |
| be far reaching and can even leave a business in | | | | Also, as part of the assessment, the people who |
| the same state as the burnt out premises; ruined. | | | | work in your premises will be examined. This may |
| If operating in a single premises the effects can | | | | include assessing the risk staff members, |
| be even more devastating, hence the importance | | | | customers and other members of the public that |
| of fire risk assessment procedures are an | | | | may have access to your premises. The number |
| essential component of any health and safety | | | | of people present in the premises in the event of |
| protocol. | | | | a fire will also be estimated by the assessment of |
| For companies who house supplies and other | | | | visitor numbers over a few days. |
| integral business elements in their premises the | | | | As a result of this information escape routes and |
| effects of fire can be even more damaging. In | | | | fire safety protocol will be part of the risk |
| terms of continuity of supply and relationships | | | | assessment to ensure evacuation is carried out |
| with buyers, the effects can sometimes never be | | | | efficiently and effectively in the event of fire. As |
| recouped. An efficient assessment of the risk | | | | well a the means of escape, fire fighting |
| that fire may pose to your business should be | | | | apparatus and equipment will be assessed as well |
| regularly carried out to ensure not only the safety | | | | as the number of people who are able to operate |
| of your staff members, but also to protect your | | | | this apparatus in an emergency. Considerations of |
| business. An employer's own conscience should | | | | age, health and agility in terms of the people |
| force them to undertake a thorough fire risk | | | | present on the premises will also be part of the |
| assessment, although legal requirements for | | | | risk assessment. These factors are important |
| employers are extensive in ensuring staff safety. | | | | especially when considering different working |
| The process of fire risk assessment involves | | | | environments such as nurseries, factories or care |
| identifying the various sources of ignition that may | | | | homes. As a result action plans can vary |
| be present in your business. Not only should an | | | | immensely. |
| assessment identify the ignition points but also the | | | | The risk assessment report will ensure that there |
| levels of combustible materials in a workplace. | | | | are sufficient staff members present to cope |
| Such materials include soft furnishings and | | | | with a fire should it break out. Also the action plan |
| elements of the structure such as a timber frame | | | | should focus upon minimising the risk of fire in the |
| or desks. The purpose of a fire risk assessment | | | | first place, by understanding the causes of fire |
| is to minimise the potential for fire in your | | | | and elements involved, prevention should be more |
| business premises. | | | | effective. Assessment will also include an appraisal |
| The risk assessment should involve the | | | | of the current action plan and the working order |
| identification and if possible the elimination of | | | | of the various fire fighting equipment in a business |
| hazards in the workplace. If these elements | | | | premises. |
| cannot be eliminated from the day to day uses of | | | | Fire is a risk that worries most employers, an |
| the business, fire risk assessment should advise | | | | assessment can inform bosses where they are |
| ways in which the hazards can be dealt with and | | | | with ensuring the safety of there staff and how |
| avoided. Usually safe working methods can be | | | | much they need to do to increase this safety. As |
| developed that put hazardous practises as far | | | | a legal requirement, following the |
| away from combustible materials and ignition | | | | recommendations of the report is a vital legislative |
| sources as possible. This may mean that your risk | | | | requirement. |