How Often Fire Risk Assessments Need Reviewing

A Fire Risk Assessment is not a one off exercise, it has to be updated from time to time and reviewed on a regular basis.

The Legal Baseline

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the fire risk assessment to be reviewed by the responsible person at suitable intervals. Most low risk premises would review their fire risk assessments on a annual to two yearly basis.

Events That Force an Immediate Review

There are a number of circumstances where a review will be required immediately. These include: changes to the building layout, new processes which involve the use of flammable materials, changes to the use of a building and any significant increase in the number of occupants.

How Long an Assessment Stays Valid

An assessment completed in an unchanged property will be sufficient for a year or two. Higher risk premises such as care homes, hostels and those with complicated floor plans etc would benefit from an annual fire risk assessment.

What to Check Between Reviews

Regularly check the means of escape, make sure fire doors are closing fully and that no stores have been put in corridors. A quick internal check every few months will highlight problems before they become serious issues and before your formal review is due.

Keeping a Record

Record every review (no matter how brief) and include the date, what you have checked and what actions you have taken. If you want Fire Risk Assessment Northamptonshire, https://isefireproducts.co.uk/fire-risk-assessments/northamptonshire/ is a good place to start.

A current fire risk assessment is easy to defend; an out of date assessment is not.