We have been at the forefront of risk assessing since the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) in October 2006, fire certificates are no longer issued to all but certain high risk establishments. This has now been replaced with the requirement for a fire safety risk assessment.

Under the FSO, employers, or the responsible person, have become solely responsible for fire safety within their workplaces.

Many businesses have purchased off-the-shelf fire risk assessments in the belief that these ready-made documents would satisfy their legal obligations. However, when the fire and rescue service inspect these premises, the businesses get a nasty surprise.

A fire risk assessment will only satisfy your legal duties if it:

• is site specific
• portrays an accurate and honest account of the fire safety arrangements in place at your premises
• has been reviewed regularly (annually)