If you’re an employer, the owner of a business, a landlord or have control of a non-domestic premises (such as a facilities manager or managing agent), then you – as the designated responsible person – must ensure that strict fire safety regulations are adhered to in order to protect the site and its inhabitants.
As the responsible person, you will need to carry out a fire risk assessment and have this reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that safety standards are maintained over time.
You will also need to ensure that the necessary people are informed of any identified risks, while implementing the appropriate fire safety measures and plan for emergency events, as well as providing full information, instructions and training relating to fire safety.
Fire risk assessments: What to include
Your risk assessment will need to involve an in-depth inspection of the site to identify any potential fire hazards so that the relevant protection measures can be put in place.
Identifiable fire hazards include ignition sources and combustible materials, such as electrical equipment, heating, cooking facilities, housekeeping, contractors on site, smoking and so on.
You will also need to think about the people who may be at risk, asking yourself how many individuals are on site at any one time and whether you have any young or disabled people to consider, as well as any lone workers.
As for the site itself, assess how many floors and staircases there are, as well as the number and location of the exits. From there, you can decide how many fire extinguishers you need, as well as fire exit signs and alarms, and what sort of emergency lighting system you’ll require.
It’s possible to carry out these risk assessments yourself but if you feel you don’t have the right expertise or if you lack the time, you can always bring in a competent person to get the job done, such as a professional risk assessor.
Gain the NEBOSH certificate in fire safety today
To enhance your fire safety knowledge and skills, and ensure that you’re fully equipped to safeguard your workplace and the people in it, you may want to consider taking the NEBOSH certificate in fire safety, designed to help you identify fire risks and implement effective prevention strategies.
A key feature of the course is how to foster a positive fire safety culture at work, vital in the prevention of the consequences of fire and provision of a safer environment for members of staff and the general public.
The course, which takes around 48 hours of study to complete (including both taught hours and private study/background reading), will provide a deeper understanding of the principles of fire and explosion protection and prevention, as well as how to advise others on how these incidents can take place.
It will also focus on how best to conduct effective fire risk assessments in low to medium-risk workplaces.
If you’d like to build your health and safety knowledge further, our NEBOSH General Certificate course is a great place to start. It’s designed for anyone looking to develop practical skills and gain a respected qualification in workplace safety. To find out more, get in touch with the ACT team today.
