Fire Risk Assessment: The Starting Point
Fires don't just put lives at risk — they can destroy premises, stock, equipment and livelihoods in a matter of minutes. Under UK fire safety law (the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, strengthened by the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022), every business has a 'responsible person' who must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out, reviewed regularly, and acted upon.
The Five Steps of a Fire Risk Assessment
A fire risk assessment follows a similar structure to a general workplace risk assessment:
- Identify fire hazards — sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen
- Identify people at risk — employees, visitors, contractors, and anyone with additional needs in an evacuation
- Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks — introduce controls to prevent fires starting and spreading
- Record findings and plan — document the assessment and create an emergency plan
- Review regularly — especially after any changes to the premises, processes or layout
Common Fire Hazards in the Workplace
- Faulty or overloaded electrical equipment
- Poor housekeeping — build-up of combustible waste or stock blocking escape routes
- Smoking materials and naked flames
- Flammable liquids, gases and chemicals stored incorrectly
- Heating equipment placed too close to combustible materials
Training That Supports Fire Safety
Different roles need different levels of fire safety training:
- Basic Fire Awareness — a general introduction for all staff, covering how fires start, spread and can be prevented
- Fire Marshal — for staff appointed to take charge of evacuations and liaise with the fire service
- Fire Extinguisher — practical training on selecting and using the right extinguisher for the type of fire
- NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety — an in-depth qualification for anyone responsible for carrying out fire risk assessments and managing fire safety across a site
Fire Safety and Construction Sites
Construction sites present particular fire risks — temporary structures, flammable materials, hot works and incomplete fire protection systems all contribute. Site managers and supervisors undertaking the CITB SMSTS or SSSTS will cover fire safety as part of their training, and many sites require additional site-specific fire marshal training on top of this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for fire safety in a workplace?
Under UK fire safety law, the 'responsible person' — usually the employer, owner, or whoever has control over the premises — must ensure a fire risk assessment is carried out and kept up to date.
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
There's no fixed interval set in law, but it should be reviewed regularly and whenever there's a significant change to the premises, layout, processes, or number of people on site.
Do all staff need fire marshal training?
No — typically a small number of staff are appointed and trained as fire marshals or fire wardens, while all other staff receive general fire awareness training covering what to do in an emergency.
Related Courses
- Fire Safety Training courses
- NEBOSH Certificate in Fire Safety
- Fire Marshal course
- Fire Extinguisher course
- Basic Fire Awareness course
- NEBOSH IIRSM Certificate in Managing Risk
- Site Management courses
- Site Supervisor courses