AFEC FIRE & RISK ENGINEERING SPECIALISTS would like to share an in house Risk Assessment Template we have developed for in house use to assist Facilities Managers and Environmental Health and Safety Staff achieve best practice fire safety standards at their premises. If you have any difficulty filling out this checklist, our website, WWW.AFEC.IE has an on line chat portal on which will immediately respond to any queries you may have. Alternatively, send an email to admin@afec.ie and we will happily assist you. AFEC FIRE ENGINEERING TEMPLATE
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT (FRA) 1 GENERAL INFORMATION 1.1 Building Information 1.1.1. Responsible person or person having control of the premises 1.1.2. Address of premises 1.1.3. Person undertaking FRA 1.1.4. Date of FRA 1.1.5. Date for review of FRA 1.2 Building Information 1.2.1. Height of the Building 1.2.2. Building construction 1.2.3. Description of building use (1) 1.2.4. Building complexity 1.2.5. Floor area (1) e.g. simple, straightforward escape routes or complex, convoluted escape routes
1.3 Occupancy Classification Area/Level Occupant description (1) Occupant characteristics (2) N of disabled persons (1) e.g. young or old, infirm or able-bodied, (2) e.g. Familiar, Unfamiliar, Sleeping 1.4 Building Information 1.4.1. Detail previous experience of fire onsite 1.4.2. Comments on existing/proposed fire safety reporting methods 1.4.3. Is there suitable methods and records of the fire safety arrangements 1.5 Relevant Fire Safety Legislation Technical Guidance Document Part B, Fire Services Act 1981 & 2003, Safety, Health &Welfare at Work Act 2005 and Statutory Instruments 299 of 2007, Building Control Act 1997/2007 and Building Control / Building Regulations under the Act. BS 5588: 11 (reference in TGD B)
2 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND FIRE SAFETY MEASURES 2.1 Electrical Source of Ignition 2.1.1. Are fixed and portable installations periodically tested? 2.1.2. Is there suitable policy for using personal electrical appliances? 2.1.3. Is there suitable limitation of trailing leads and adapters? 2.1.4. Are cables routed in safe place? 2.2 Smoking 2.1.1. Are fixed and portable installations periodically tested? 2.1.2. Is there suitable policy for using personal electrical appliances? 2.1.3. Is there suitable limitation of trailing leads and adapters? 2.3 Arson 2.3.1. Does security protect against arson by outsiders appear reasonable? 2.3.2. Is there fire load in close proximity to the premises or available for ignition by outsiders?
2.4 Heaters and Heating Installations 2.4.1. Is the use of portable heaters avoided as far as practicable? 2.4.2. Where used are the more (1) hazardous type avoided? 2.4.3. Where used are measures taken to minimize the hazard of ignition? (1) e.g. radiant bar fires or LPG appliances 2.5 Cooking 2.5.1. Are filters changed and ductwork cleaned regularly? 2.5.2. Are suitable extinguishment appliances available? 2.5 Gas is used in cooking on the premises, it is stored inside the house. 2.6 Lightning 2.6.1. Does the building have a lightning protection system?
2.7Housekeeping 2.7.1. Is the standard of housekeeping adequate? 2.7.2. Are combustible materials separated from ignition sources? 2.7.3. Have measures been taken to limit the build up of combustible materials or waste? 2.7.4. Are hazardous materials stored appropriately? 2.7.5. Is the inappropriate storage of combustible materials avoided? 2.8 Hazards Introduced by building works 2.8.1. Is there a permit to work system in place for hot works? 2.8.2. Is there a permit to work system for in place for electrical work? 2.8.3. Are in-house maintenance personnel required to follow the requirements of the above permits? 2.8.4. Are work standards supervised periodically and on completion of work?
3 FIRE PROTECTION MEASURES 3.1 Means of warning in the event of fire 3.1.1. Sufficient number of manual call points correctly sited? 3.1.2. Automatic fire detection provided throughout? 3.1.3. Extent of automatic fire detection generally appropriate for occupancy and fire risk? 3.1.4. Remote transmission of alarm signals? 3.1.5. Have beacons been provided where required? 3.2 Means of escape Design/Construction 3.2.1. Is it considered that the building is provided with reasonable means of escape in case of fire? 3.2.2. Have the escape routes been adequately designed? 3.2.3. Is suitable protection provided to the escape routes? 3.2.4. Are the escape routes unobstructed? 3.2.5. Are corridors sub-divided where required? 3.2.6. Are there a sufficient number of exits provided? 3.2.7. Do doors along escape routes open in the direction of escape where required? 3.2.8. Are exits easily and immediately open able? 3.2.9. If revolving or slide doors are provided, do they fail open or is there a pass door provided? 3.2.10. Are the single direction travel distances reasonable? 3.2.11. Where escape is available in two directions are the travel distances reasonable? (1) 3.2.12. Are there suitable precautions for all inner rooms? 3.2.13. Are reasonable arrangements in place for means of escape for disabled people? (1) e.g. enter via one room, maximum of 60 persons, AFD / Vision panel provided.
3.3 Measures to limit fire spread and development 3.3.1. Is the compartmentation of a (1) reasonable standard? 3.3.2. Do the wall and ceiling linings promote fire spread? 3.3.3. Are fire dampers provided as necessary? (1) 3.3.4. Have service penetrations been fire stopped? (1) e.g. enter via one room, maximum of 60 persons, AFD / Vision panel provided. 3.4 Emergency Escape Lighting 3.4.1. Is the level of emergency escape lighting system considered to be reasonable? 3.5 Fire safety signs and notices 3.4.1. Is the level of emergency escape lighting system considered to be reasonable? 3.6 Manual Fire Extinguishing Appliances 3.5.1. Are manual fire extinguishers provided to a reasonable level? 3.5.2. Are hose reels provided? 3.5.3. Are all fire extinguishing appliances readily accessible?
3.7 Automatic Fire Extinguishment 3.7.1. Is automatic fire extinguishment provided? 3.7.2. Type of systems and general description 3.8 Other Relevant Fixed Systems and Equipment 3.8.1. Type of fixed system and specifics 3.8.2. Have suitable fire-fighter switch(es) for high voltage apparatus been provided?
4 MANAGEMENT OF FIRE SAFETY 4.1 Procedures and Arrangements 4.1.1. Are procedures in the event of fire appropriate and properly documented? 4.1.2. Are there suitable arrangements for summoning the fire and rescue service? 4.1.3. Are there suitable arrangements to meet the fire and rescue service on arrival and provide relevant information? 4.1.4. Are there suitable arrangements for ensuring that the building(s) is fully evacuated? 4.1.5. Are there suitable fire assembly point(s)? 4.1.6. Are there adequate procedures for evacuation of any disabled people who are likely to be present? 4.1.7. Has there been liaison with the fire and rescue service? 4.2 Training and Drills 4.2.1. Are staff given adequate fire safety instruction and training on induction? 4.2.2. Is the training received considered to be sufficient? 4.2.3. Are staff trained to assist disabled people? 4.2.4. Have fire wardens been appointed? 4.2.5. Do fire wardens have a preventative role as well as a reactive role? 4.2.6. Are staff with special responsibilities given additional training? 4.2.7. Are individual training records kept? 4.2.8. Are regular fire drills undertaken? 4.2.9. Is there a record of fire drills? 4.2.10. Are fire drills carried out at appropriate intervals? 4.2.11. Is their sufficient information available for visiting persons?
4.3 Testing and Maintenance 4.3.2. Are the fire detection and alarm system(s) tested periodically? 4.3.3. Are the emergency escape lighting tested monthly and annually? 4.3.4. Are the fire extinguishing appliances annually maintained? 4.3.5. Are external escape staircases and gangways inspected periodically? 4.3.6. Are the rising mains tested every six months? 4.3.7. Are the fire-fighting lifts tested weekly and monthly and inspected every six months? 4.3.8. Is there weekly testing and periodic inspection of the sprinkler installation? 4.3.9. Routine checks of final exit doors and/or security fastenings? 4.3.10. Is the lightning protection system inspected annually and tested periodically? 4.3.11. Detail any other relevant testing or inspections? 4.4 Records 4.4.1. Please detail whether the following records are kept and appropriate Fire drills Fire training Fire alarm tests Emergency escape lighting tests Lightening protection certificate Dry/wet riser certificate Maintenance and testing of other fire protection systems
5 ASSESSMENT OF RISK AND PROPOSED ACTIONS 5.1 Assessment of Risk 5.1.1. Taking into account the fire prevention measures observed at the time of the assessment, it is considered that the hazard from fire at the premises is: LOW MEDIUM HIGH 5.1.2. Taking into account the nature of the building and occupants, as well as the fire protection and procedural arrangements observed at the time of this fire risk assessment, it is considered that the consequences for life safety in the event of fire would be: SLIGHT HARM MODERATE HARM EXTREME HARM 5.1.3. Level of risk to life is considered to be: TRIVIAL TOLERABLE MODERATE SUBSTANTIAL INTOLERABLE