A fire risk assessment is required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
A fire risk assessment is the foundation for the fire safety measures required in a block of flats. Suitable and sufficient fire risk assessments are carried out by suitably qualified external consultants on behalf of the Council (the responsible person) to help ensure that the chance of fire occurring in the areas under the control of the responsible person is minimised.
It also helps to ensure that, in the event of a fire anywhere in the block, people can, if necessary, use the common parts safely to evacuate the building. These fire risk assessments do not address the safety of residents from fire within their own flat. The fire risk assessment will also ensure that appropriate managerial arrangements, such as fire procedures and maintenance of fire safety measures, are in place. The fire risk assessments are reviewed regularly and when circumstances change.
Summary Fire Risk Assessments
The outcome of the fire risk assessment is an action plan – consisting of a list of any (normally prioritised) physical and managerial measures that are necessary to ensure that fire risk is maintained at, or reduced to, an acceptable level. Prioritisation is commensurate with the risk, whilst acknowledging that major capital work (i.e. flat entrance fire door replacement programme) cannot be completed immediately. Recommended timescales must be realistic.
The Council has produced summary fire risk assessments to show residents the actions identified (and their prioritisation) across the buildings it manages with communal areas.
Regular inspections are carried out by Council Officers of these communal areas, but if you see any damaged notice boards / signs you should report this to your Housing Officer.
