Fire Risk Assessment

1. Can the existing means of detection discover a fire quickly enough to raise an alarm in time for all the occupants to escape to a safe place?
2. Can the means for giving warning be clearly heard and understood throughout the whole premises when initiated from any single point?
3. If the fire detection and warning system is electrically powered, does it have a back-up power supply?
4. Have you told your employees about your fire warning system, will they know how to operate it and respond to it?
5. Are there instructions for your employees on how to operate the fire warning system and what action they should take on hearing a warning?
6. Have you included the fire detection and fire warning arrangements in your emergency plan?

1. How long will it take for all the occupants to escape to a place of safety once a fire has been detected?
2. Is that a reasonable length of time or will it take too long?
3. Are there enough exits and are they in the right place?
4. Are the type and size of exits suitable and sufficient for the number of people likely to need to use them (e.g. wide enough for wheelchair users)?
5. In the event of fire, could all available exits be affected or will at least one route from any part of the premises remain available?
6. Are all escape routes easily identifiable, free from any obstructions and adequately illuminated?
7. Have you trained your staff in using the means of escape?
8. Are there instructions about the means of escape for your employees?
9. Have you included your means of escape arrangements in your emergency plan?

1. Are the extinguishers suitable for the purpose and of sufficient capacity?
2. Are there sufficient extinguishers sited throughout the workplace?
3. Are the right types of extinguishers located close to the fire hazards and people get to them without exposing themselves to risk?
4. Are the locations of the extinguishers obvious or do you need to highlight their location?
5. Have the people likely to use the fire extinguishers been given adequate instruction and training?
6. Have you included use of fire-fighting equipment in your emergency plan?

1. Do you regularly check all fire doors and escape routes and associated lighting and signs?
2. Do you regularly check all your firefighting equipment?
3. Do you regularly check your fire detection and alarm equipment?
4. Do you regularly check any other equipment that help means of escape arrangements in the building?
5. Are there instructions for employees about testing of equipment?
6. Are those who test and maintain the equipment properly trained to do so?

1. Do you have an emergency plan?
2. Does the emergency plan take account of all risks and circumstances?
3. Are your employees familiar with the plan, trained in its use and involved in testing it?
4. Is the emergency plan made available to all who need to be aware of it?
5. Are the procedures to be followed clearly indicated throughout the workplace?
6. Have you considered all the people likely to be in your workplace and others who share the building?

Risk Value Matrix