In this blog we look at Fire Audits and how they fit into your sites Health and Safety obligations, what the stages are and how software can take the pain out of the process.
We all should know that best practise would recommend that fire risk assessments should be completed annually it is the responsible persons responsibility to complete or to instruct a competently qualified person to complete the fire risk assessment at least once per year or when there has been a significant change in the environment as mentioned in Article 9, (3) of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
But what about a Fire safety audit is it the same as a fire risk assessment? the answer is no a fire risk assessment looks at 5 areas
- Stage 1: Identify Fire Hazards.
- Identify sources of ignition.
- Identify sources of fuel.
- Identify sources of oxygen.
- Stage 2: Identifying People at Risk.
- Stage 3: Evaluate, Remove, Reduce
- Stage 4: Record, Plan, Inform, Instruct and Train.
- Stage 5: Review
So what is a fire audit?
A Fire Safety Audit is an examination of your business’ premises and relevant documents, by our consultants to ascertain how your premises are being managed with regards to fire safety.
During the audit, our consultants may speak to some of your employees to ensure their fire safety awareness is at the level you proclaimed.
Review the premises as well as documentation
- A fire risk assessment
- Action plans – if any significant findings were uncovered from the fire risk assessment
- A document detailing what your protocol is for emergency evacuation
- Preventative measures to avoid fires in your premises
- Fire drill records
- Records from staff fire training
- Fire safety maintenance checklist
- A list of dangerous substances in the premises
- Proof that the following have been tested:
- fire detection and warning systems;
- emergency lighting; sprinkler system;
- ventilation system; firefighting equipment;
- electrical wiring in the building;
- portable appliances.
This list is not exhaustive or representative of each and every Fire Safety Audit. You may need to produce other documents that aren’t included in this list.
So why do an audit
Fire Safety Audit are a useful tool because they are essentially an inspection of a non-residential premises to ascertain how it is being managed with regards to fire safety. The audit is an examination of the premises and relevant documents to ascertain how the premises are being managed regarding fire safety and can also involve speaking to staff members to learn their level of fire safety awareness.
Fire Safety audits will also enable the organizations to address the issues by identified helping them keep staff as safe as possible.