Fire Risk Assessment and Role of the Responsible Person Fire costs UK business millions of pounds, from disruption to and loss of business, property destroy, fines, compensation claims and increasing insurance premiums. In addition there is the human cost when people die or are seriously injured by fires that occur at work. Many fires can be avoided or the effects minimised by conducting a Fire Risk Assessment, taking precautions and having effective controls and procedures in place. Fire certificates are no longer issued by the local Fire Authority and employers are necessary to make sure they have an up to date Fire Risk Assessment for their site. Owners and operators of non-domestic premises have an obligation to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire and make sure people can safely escape during fire. They should appoint a 'responsible person' who must arrange for a Fire Risk Assessment to be carried out to identify and deal with any potential fire risks.
Responsible person should be someone who has sufficient experience, authority and budgetary control such as: The owner, employer or manager of business premises The owner or managing agent of shared business premises The owner or managing agent of communal areas of shared residential premises Where there is over individual identified with responsibility they will need to co-operate and coordinate to make positive measures comply with the regulations Duties Of Responsible Person Include: Arranging a Fire Risk Assessment to identify feasible dangers and risks Identifying those at increased risk- such as disabled employees Removing, as far as is practicable, the risk from fire Putting in place fire precautions to deal with any risks that stay Ensuring there is adequate storage for flammable or explosive materials Having an emergency plan Making provisions for business continuity Recording and reviewing designs and assessments at regular intervals The first step is for the responsible person to make sure that the preliminary Fire Risk Assessment is carried out. They can appoint a competent person to complete the assessment; however the legal responsibility remains with the duty holder. The enforcing authority (usually the local fire authority) must be satisfied with the safety measures in place. If deficiencies are identified, the duty holder may be served with an enforcement notice to improve safety, restrict the use of the premises or to close the property altogether until the necessary improvements have been implemented. Fire safety is makes good business sense. About Company: First Intervention Training Ltd (FIT) offers Fire Risk Assessment Training in London & Essex. Call FIT on: 01375 676779. For More Details Please Visit: http://www.firstinterventiontraining.com/ Follow On: Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest