Fire risk assessment is an organized and methodical look at the premises, the activities within the premises, potential fire occurrence and the harm it could cause to the people in and around the premises.

To assist in complying with the regulatory Reform (fire safety) orders, Optimum Group will conduct a comprehensive fire risk assessment on your behalf. All businesses, large and small, have a legal duty to complete regular fire risk assessments to ensure that fire safety procedures and fire prevention measures are in place and working properly. Our experienced fire safety team will identify any issues that need attention and draw up an action plan to ensure you are compliant with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety)

Our fire risk assessments include a tour of the whole work place or your area of responsibility. We identify:

1. Who is at risk
2. Process or building hazards
3. Ignition source
4. Deficiencies in existing fire precautions
5. Correct types /quantities and suitably maintained fire equipment
6. Appropriate sign /notice
7. Adequate mean of escape in the event of fire

Your Fire Risk Assessment will be the foundation for all your Fire Safety Measures. It is not an end in itself, but a tool to help you identify issues that require attention, and help you plan ahead to protect your staff and your business order. The Purpose of the Fire Risk Assessment is to:

1. Identify possible fire hazards
2. Reduce the risk from these hazards to an acceptable level
3. Identify what action you need to take to ensure the safety of people on your premises if a fire does break out.

How to Carry Out Fire Risk Assessment
There are five steps involved in producing your Fire Risk Assessment – four to actually produce it, and an all-important fifth step which is to Review and Revise the assessment as necessary. These simple steps are set out below

1. Identify the hazards
2. Identify the people who are at risk
3. Evaluate the risks
4. Are precautions adequate or is further action required?
5. Record your findings

Provide information and training, prepare emergency plans, etc

Following the completion of the risk assessment a fire safety management plan would be produced and issued to you. Include with the document would be:

• Documented fire risk assessment
• List of significant finding
• Recommendation
• Identification of potential ignition source
• Staff / building fire action plans
• Fire risk assessment performance indicator
• Detailed description of installed fire equipment
• General fire safety advice
• Fire equipment logbook including
• Guidance for continuous maintenance of your fire safety requirements
• Staff and equipment maintenance record sheet

DISCOVERING A FIRE

• Find
• Inform
• Restrict
• Evacuate /extinguish

If a security officer discovers a fire, the following procedure should be followed:

1. Sound the alarm
2. Call the Fire Brigade and any other emergency services that are needed
3. Inform the control room
4. Assist in evacuation, if needed

If the fire is small and it is safe for him/her to do so:

1. Attempt to extinguish
2. Never compromise his/her own safety
3. Always leave him/herself an exit

In all other situations, providing it is safe to do so:

1. Attempt to starve the fire of oxygen by securing doors and windows
2. Attempt to starve the fire of fuel by removing combustibles in its path

Where evacuation is needed:

1. Encourage the use of fire exits, where possible
2. Encourage people to move quickly to the Assembly Point
3. Stay calm
4. Do not allow anyone to go back for personal belongings
5. Do not use lifts

At the Assembly Point all personnel should be accounted for, including visitors. If it is operationally possible, meet the Fire Brigade and assist where it is safe to do so. You should be able to offer the Fire Brigade the following critical information:

• Missing personnel
• Location of fire
• Special risks
• Location of hydrants and main services
• Location of pumping positions
• Access and escape routes
• Fire and alarm panel locations
• Type of fire