Fire Risk Assessments

Before undertaking a fire safety risk assessment you can find technical information in various guides available online. For these documents and more information see The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

There is also additional information on complying with fire safety law for people who provide sleeping accommodation in small bed & breakfasts, guest houses, self-catering accommodation and inns with rooms.  For this document see Do you have paying guests? Fire safety for Bed and Breakfasts (PDF 747 kb, opens in a new window).

The document below has been produced by Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) to help businesses carry out and record a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005:

As a brief overview, a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment must cover the following areas:

• Measures to reduce the risk of fire breaking out or spreading on the premises;

• Means of escape from the premises;

• Measures for ensuring that the means of escape can be safely and effectively used at all times;

• Means for fighting fires on the premises;

• Means for detecting fire and giving warning in case of fire on the premises; and

• Arrangements for action to be taken in the event of a fire, including the instruction and training of employees, plus measures to minimise the effects of the fire.

People with special needs

Measures must also be taken to ensure people with special needs can benefit from the fire risk assessment. Further guidance can be obtained from: Means of escape for disabled people - Supplementary Guide from the Communities and Local Governmnet website

Dangerous substances

Special arrangements must be made in relation to dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres, as defined by the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) from the Health and Safety Executive's website