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We use usually use an external provider to undertake our workplace Fire Risk assessments.Where actions or suggestions are identified we use this as a basis to make improvements etc.
The question i have is - How often do Fire Risk assessments have to be carried out and where can i find relevant legislation to guide me on this. I can't find any specific requirement in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order for any set frequency for repeating risk assessments, so would welcome guidance on this matter to ensure we remain compliant?
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Xtremepmt wrote:We use usually use an external provider to undertake our workplace Fire Risk assessments.Where actions or suggestions are identified we use this as a basis to make improvements etc.
The question i have is - How often do Fire Risk assessments have to be carried out and where can i find relevant legislation to guide me on this. I can't find any specific requirement in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order for any set frequency for repeating risk assessments, so would welcome guidance on this matter to ensure we remain compliant? I just had one done by an external, he said he must be maintained yearly by a competent person within the company unless there was significant change, and that he would return again in 3 years to do a new one (if we wanted his services). This is on a small single story 9 office building with only office staff. Perhaps depending on your works this may differ. Perhaps speaking to your insurers would help as they will specify their requirements.
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My fire risk assessment is done every 2 years, and reviewed yearly, unless their is a significant change
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This question can be like the one How long is a piece of string. If you did a sound FRA in the first place and nothing has materially changed you simply need to review it and check it remains valid. There is no need to do a new FRA as long as you are happy that all risks are covered and managed properly. You don't say what type of building or activity is involved so it is hard to give specific advice but don't fall into the review for review sake unless there is material change the original assessment should be OK.
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I agree with Bob but would add that you need to consider how the enforcing authorities translate the law (not always correctly).
Your local FSO might get a bit awkward if they can't find solid evidence to suggest it's been reviewed within the last 12 months.
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Thank you to all that have posted replies. We are a small low risk chemical manufacturing industry (not COMAH). We had been undertaking FRA on an annual basis, then moved to a 2 yearly basis, with and annual review to check that necessary fire prevention and control measures are in place. All electrical installations/equipment are checked, fire fighting equipment and alarms checked and tested, training in place, fire drills, PTW and Hot works permits, annual visits from local fire brigade, signage, emergency lighting etc all checked. No significant changes to our process in many years..... Our external assessor seemed to give the impression that we needed to undertake full assessments annuallly but was not sure if this was a 'sales' ploy or a mandatory legal requirement...
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Xtremepmt wrote:Thank you to all that have posted replies. We are a small low risk chemical manufacturing industry (not COMAH). We had been undertaking FRA on an annual basis, then moved to a 2 yearly basis, with and annual review to check that necessary fire prevention and control measures are in place. All electrical installations/equipment are checked, fire fighting equipment and alarms checked and tested, training in place, fire drills, PTW and Hot works permits, annual visits from local fire brigade, signage, emergency lighting etc all checked. No significant changes to our process in many years..... Our external assessor seemed to give the impression that we needed to undertake full assessments annuallly but was not sure if this was a 'sales' ploy or a mandatory legal requirement... Nope! He's after you money and hoping you're too ignorant to know better.
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Presumably you are employing the external assessor because you lack the internal expertise. The advice on reassessments could be affected by commercial considerations but may equally be a valid opinion by the "expert"
Why not ask the assessor how they came to their decision on reassessment?
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Rank: Super forum user
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A fire risk assessment with regards to a tunnel where petrol and other explosive kit etc. is in constant use is a completely different fire risk assessment that deals with a sedate low risk office so the review dates of each RA is completely different; In the first case the review is constant and ongoing whereas the latter need only to be reviewed after you have decided the date of the review yourself e.g it could be 1, 2 or even 3 years away noting that if significant negative change happens it should be reviewed at that point
In your case I would review at least every 12 months because of the risks present noting that if significant negative change happens it should be reviewed at that point as its the risk we are looking at managing and not any other factor. If you had a fire U would have to justify any review date to an enforcer/insurer
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terry556 wrote:My fire risk assessment is done every 2 years, and reviewed yearly, unless their is a significant change What do you mean by "done"? All things being equal, the thing can only be "done" once. In the event of significant change, then it may need amendment. This may need to be reactive, as opposed to cyclic, e.g. employee circumstances.
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IMO once you have the fire risk assessment it does need to be reviewed at least annually, or earlier if anything changes like contractors arriving to carry out work on or in the premises or you have extensions built, or you change a process or suddenly increase the workforce or - etc. The list is endless.
The annual review can be carried out by an employee with basic competence, enough to read and understand what has gone on before and the knowledge of the premises and work activity.
The annual review is all you need as long as it remains valid.
I think the size/type of premises you have can be fire risk assessed by an employee with a couple of days fire risk assessment training, especially as you have had one done by an external consultant who I assume was competent?
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Rank: Super forum user
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The frequency of FRA review depends on the nature of the business; is there fuel or other flammable materials, naked flames, sources of sparks etc etc.
Some factories/premises will in effect review their FRA several times a year, if they change their processes, materials, storage etc., though they might not document the reviews. It's a good idea to document/date reviews for insurance purposes, or as evidence of good managment in event of an incident.
For very low risk premises e.g. a unit of offices, the 'review' can be a very simpe matter. A meeting to read through the published FRA and ask questions as you go through it, to determine if escape routes have changed etc. So, if an annual review is not an onerous task then just do it, again for insurance purposes and as evidence of good management if there were an investigated incident. An FRA review is also a good exercise to involve staff in, focusses their mind on H&S at least for a short period :o)
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The RRO states that the FRA should be reviewed regularly. There is no time scale given.
Within the premises portfolio I look after, one building is reviewed 6 monthly, plus I am based there so I kept it reviewed constantly/dynamically. At the other end of the scale, we have remote/ rarely manned sites with attract a FRA review every 5 years. WE have been audited and have been given the all clear by the enforcing authority
A review is not necessarily a complete re write, and any assessor that says so is likely to be conning their client. RRO Article 9 states (my CAPITALS to highlight passage):
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3) Any such assessment must be reviewed by the responsible person REGULARLY so as TO KEEP IT UP TO DATE and particularly if—
(a)there is reason to suspect that it is no longer valid; or
(b)there has been a SIGNIFICANT CHANGE in the matters to which it relates including when the premises, special, technical and organisational measures, or organisation of the work undergo significant changes, extensions, or conversions,
_______________________________________________________
For most SMEs, I would argue get someone in for the initial FRA, ad carry out the review in house. If you get difficult areas where in house staff have not got the experience - call in an expert
You do not have to be competent to carry out or review a FRA, however the FRA must be suitable and sufficient. This is entirely possible in a SME/low risk environment, but a little more challenging in larger/higher risk premises
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quote=Xtremepmt]Thank you to all that have posted replies. We are a small low risk chemical manufacturing industry (not COMAH). We had been undertaking FRA on an annual basis, then moved to a 2 yearly basis, with and annual review to check that necessary fire prevention and control measures are in place. All electrical installations/equipment are checked, fire fighting equipment and alarms checked and tested, training in place, fire drills, PTW and Hot works permits, annual visits from local fire brigade, signage, emergency lighting etc all checked. No significant changes to our process in many years..... Our external assessor seemed to give the impression that we needed to undertake full assessments annually but was not sure if this was a 'sales' ploy or a mandatory legal requirement... Nothing wrong with a review of your FRA every few years or following change, incident, legal and/or guidance, personnel etc. However, don't be forced into a full re-write just for the sake of it. Check your current FRA - if it is still and true description of activities, premises, personnel and associated hazards and controls then your review is complete. I know of insurance companies that insist annual reviews are 'done', but thats a different story...
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