Are fire risk assessments a legal requirement?
A fire risk assessment can be something that gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list until someone asks about it or something goes wrong; however, fire risk assessments are a legal requirement in the UK. Let’s look at this in more detail.
Who needs a fire risk assessment?
If you are responsible for a building used by other people, whether a workplace, a shop, a rental property, or a shared space, you are expected to carry out a fire risk assessment. It doesn’t matter if the business is tiny or the building has never had an issue, as the law still applies.
Even if you have done one before, you will need to update it if anything changes, such as how the space is used, who is in the building, or what equipment is added. A fire risk assessment is not something you do once and forget about.
What does it involve?
A proper assessment means walking through the building, spotting anything that could cause a fire and thinking about how people would get out safely. This means you have to understand the layout, the people inside, and any risks that could be reduced.
You can do this yourself if you feel confident; alternatively, you can hire a professional such as apmfireandsecurity.com/fire-risk-assessment/cheltenham. Either way, it needs to be written down and kept up to date.
If you need a fire risk assessment Cheltenham, you will follow the same rules as everyone else in England. The local fire authority may carry out checks or offer advice, but the legal requirement is the same nationwide. It is not just big office buildings that need to follow the rules; for example, small cafés, flats over shops, and small rental properties do too.
Why it matters
Skipping a fire risk assessment can lead to fines or legal action, especially if something happens and the risks haven’t been checked. More than this, it is about protecting people. A fire risk assessment is not a big job, but it is an important one that provides peace of mind for everyone involved.
