Fire Risk Assessments: A Pivotal Role In Fire Prevention

Fire risk assessments play a pivotal role in the prevention of fire and minimize the danger to employees if a fire does occur at the work place. It is a proactive and preventative measure and is the law to ensure it has been practised. Every business and workplace only benefits from analysing these assessments and by adhering to only a few key parts of the process, the workplace can prevent fires and educate their employees as what to do if a fire does ever occur.

The steps:

What are the potential fire hazards. This is the key and first step in fire risk assessments and it is simply identifying all of the potential fire hazards from the most obvious to the ones which might slip our attention. This is best done as a collaborative effort since more potential hazards, and most importantly hazards which are not obvious will be easier recognized. It is perhaps redundant to say, but even the smallest things can be of great risk if they are not noticed.

For instance, if chemical cleaners are used in the workplace, where are they stored? Are they stored in a potentially hazardous area where a fire might occur? Are combustible materials, simply toilet paper or paper towels stored in an area where they can catch fire or close to a flammable liquid and serve has further combustibles during a fire? This is the most important step in this proactive approach.

Who is most likely to experience a fire or have the greatest risk during a fire? This is simply identifying people in the work place who are at greatest risk for experiencing a fire and who might be least prepared if a fire occurs. All workplaces are unique, but work placement, work geography, type of job in the workplace can all contribute to a greater risk of experiencing a fire.

The person working close to or with flammable materials is much more likely to experience fire than someone else and should made aware of this and further educated as how to prevent a fire and react in the event of a fire. Visitors to a workplace will not know escape routes or certain fire precautions and must be made aware and there must be clear sign-age in the event of a fire.

Now it is time for some evaluation. This is the action part of fire risk assessments when you've identified all potential fire hazards and the people at greatest risk and now determine how to act upon the information. Education is the greatest element, this is your chance to educate your employee. For instance, if there is a fire door which is part of a kitchen and it open to the outside environment, this door should never be propped open. This door is only to remain open as it is open and closed and not even left open during deliveries. Oxygen feeds flame and if a fire erupts, oxygen will pour in and contribute to the fire and the door is useless.

Record all of this information. Write it down, take photographs and use it as reference and manuals for the employees and trainees. This recorded information should change over time as new information comes about. Fire risk assessments is meant to prevent fire and save employees if a fire breaks out.