In the world of business, safeguarding assets means more than just financial prudence; it also includes ensuring the safety of premises and the people that frequent them. One critical aspect of this safety net is a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA).
Why are Fire Risk Assessments Crucial?
An FRA is not just a legal requirement; it's a fundamental aspect of any business's safety protocol. A comprehensive FRA can highlight areas where the business is lacking in fire safety, giving actionable insights to improve. Ignoring this important step leaves the business vulnerable to not just legal penalties but also immense reputational damage as a result of an incident.
Legal Implications
The law mandates that all commercial buildings must have a 'current' and 'suitable & sufficient' FRA. Failure to comply may lead to hefty fines and even prosecution, affecting the business operations and its brand reputation adversely.
Takeaway
Investing in a thorough Fire Risk Assessment is not just a legal necessity but also a strategic business decision that can save lives, protect assets, and shield the business from legal repercussions. It is easy to book a FRA with Ilisi Expert Legal Compliance - simply complete our contact form and we will get back to you with a formal proposal in writing.
Further to The Building Safety Act 2022:
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 has been updated, in part, regarding Fire Risk Assessments [FRA’s] as follows:
‘Risk Assessment [section 9] …
9 (3) Any such assessment must be reviewed by the responsible person regularly, so as to keep it up to date and particularly if—
(a)there is reason to suspect that it is no longer valid; or
(b)there has been a significant change in the matters to which it relates including when the premises, special, technical and organisational measures, or organisation of the work undergo significant changes, extensions, or conversions, and where changes to an assessment are required as a result of any such review, the responsible person must make them.’
Put simply, an FRA needs to be undertaken regularly irrespective of any changes. Any significant changes merely add to the urgency of the regular review.
In addition, the ‘responsible person’ in an organisation i.e. the Owner or Managing Director is responsible for the competence of the person/organisation undertaking the FRA.
All our assessors at Ilisi Expert Legal Compliance are formally qualified and insured to undertake or audit fire risk assessments.
