By Liam PlumbFire safety is crucial for any type of building or premises, but especially those which consist of multiple households such as flats and apartments.
Here we answer the most commonly asked questions about fire risk assessments for flats.
What is a Fire Risk Assessment?
A fire risk assessment involves a thorough inspection and audit of the building to identify any potential risks or hazards, then making the necessary changes to reduce or remove them and make the property safer. This is not something to be taken lightly and should be a methodical and organised review of the premises themselves, the people who reside in them, the activities that occur there and the likeliness a fire could start.
What Is the Aim of a Fire Risk Assessment?
The aim of a fire risk assessment is to;
- Identify any potential fire hazards including fuel and ignition sources
- Identify people at risk, especially those who are very young, elderly or disabled etc
- Evaluate, remove, reduce and protect from risk
- Record, plan, inform, instruct and train
- Monitor, review and revise when required
What Does a Fire Risk Assessment Cover for Flats?
The assessment will look at the general fire precautions currently in place in the common areas of the building such as the hallways, stairwells and entrances.
The assessor needs to look at measures that are in place to;
- Reduce the risk of fire starting (no smoking signs, electrical safety checks etc)
- Reduce the risk of fire spreading (fire doors, fire dampers)
- Alert occupants that there is a fire (smoke alarms)
- Enable people to evacuate the building (clear safety lighting, escape routes)
- Instruct residents what to do in the event that a fire starts (a displayed emergency plan)
- Reduce the potential harm caused by a fire (fire sprinklers, fire extinguishers)
Who is Responsible for Fire Risk Assessments in Flats?
Landlords, managers and owners of flats are responsible for ensuring that their premises comply with legislation and meet the necessary legal requirements. This includes carrying out fire risk assessments of communal areas to identify any potential risks or hazards and what can be done to reduce or remove them.
The law states that the fire risk assessment must be carried out by a ‘competent person’, which means they need to have an appropriate knowledge and understanding of fire safety, the risk that fire poses and how to effectively comply with legislation.
Because fire safety is so important, this is not something that should be left to chance as the consequences for failing to control fire risks can lead to severe fines, penalties and even a prison sentence.
For complete peace of mind, it is worth utilising the services of professional fire safety experts, who can carry out the fire risk assessment for you and ensure that your building is safe and compliant.