Man in hi vis inspecting a building for a fire risk assessment
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Can You do Your Own Fire Risk Assessment?

Can You do Your Own Fire Risk Assessment?

Can you do your own fire risk assessment? Technically, yes, you can, but there are plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t. 

By law, any “competent person” can carry out a fire risk assessment. In theory, anyone with relevant training, qualifications, experience and the right attitude can conduct your fire risk assessment. With lives potentially being at stake based on the outcomes, it’s an area you need to ensure is right.  

We’ll look at fire risk assessments and fire compartmentation surveys in more detail to ensure your building and, most importantly, the people inside are kept as safe as possible. 

What’s the Law on Fire Risk Assessments?

Before answering, “can you do your own fire risk assessment” let’s look at the legalities around it. With the introduction of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all building owners and occupiers must conduct a fire assessment. Fire risk assessments:

  • Identify hazards and people at risk
  • Evaluate the situation, including how to remove or minimise risks
  • Are used to create an emergency plan

 

You must record your findings and review them regularly while providing training for the relevant people. 

It’s led to many business owners enquiring “can you do your own fire risk assessment?” While the short answer is yes, we don’t recommend you do so. An in-depth and accurate fire risk assessment is crucial for compliance with relevant legislation and most buildings’ insurance policies. 

While fire risk assessments go some way to mitigating risks, they don’t look in detail at other critical safety and legal elements: Fire compartmentation and fire stopping

Fire compartmentation is an essential part of a building’s structure whereby the building is divided into “compartments” to slow or delay the spread of flames, smoke and toxic gases. Fire stopping covers the life-saving measures and systems put in place to protect lives and property in the event of a fire. 

Many people think they need a fire risk assessment when, in actual fact, they need a fire door or compartmentation survey

What’s a Fire Compartmentation Survey and Do I Need One?

A fire compartmentation survey looks specifically at your fire compartmentation measures. This type of survey is sometimes recommended as a result of a fire risk assessment, particularly if problems are discovered. 

Most buildings, especially any with employees or members of the public, need effective passive fire protection systems in place to be compliant with the relevant legislation. Therefore, you need a fire compartmentation survey to identify the measures currently in place and any necessary remedial works

At Adaston, our expert team has extensive experience undertaking these surveys across a range of sectors, including high-rise apartment blocks and healthcare settings

Can You do Your Own Fire Risk Assessment: A Summary

Whilst we know many people question “can I do my own fire risk assessment?”, it’s not something we’d recommend. Firstly, you’re potentially putting people’s safety at risk. Secondly, working with our expert team could save you time and money in the long run. 

As third party accredited national contractors, we adhere to strict industry standards and have in-depth knowledge of the relevant legislation and regulations, such as Approved Document B. We conduct comprehensive surveys to save lives, protect property and safeguard your financial interests. 

Contact us today to see how we can keep you and your people safe.

Written by

Nic Bohanna Linkedin

Nic is the Key Client Manager at Adaston with a degree from the prestigious Durham University. With a background in management in the service industry, he now ensures all our passive fire protection services run smoothly. When he’s not at work, you’ll find him pursuing his favourite activities of hill walking, a game of golf, or enjoying a nice cold pint.

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