Fire Risk Assessment: 5 Steps

The five steps of a fire risk assessment

A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment identifies hazards, considers people at risk, reduces risk, records significant findings and is reviewed when circumstances change.

1. Identify fire hazards: Walk through your premises and identify anything that could start a fire or help it spread, including ignition sources, fuel, oxygen and storage.
2. Identify people at risk: Consider who might be at risk if a fire occurs, especially employees, visitors, contractors and vulnerable individuals.
3. Evaluate and reduce risks: Assess the risks and take action to eliminate or reduce them, including keeping ignition sources away from fuel and implementing safe procedures.
4. Record, plan and train: Document significant findings, prepare an emergency evacuation plan and ensure people know what to do in an emergency.
5. Review regularly: Review the assessment at least annually and whenever premises, work processes or fire safety risks change.