Fire risk assessment checklist

This checklist is designed to be used alongside our fire risk assessment form, but may also supplement your own template.

1 Administration
2 The premises and existing arrangements
3 People
4 Detection, control and safety
5 Prevention and protection
6 Hazards

Administration
The premises and existing arrangements
People
Detection, control and safety
Prevention and protection
Hazards

Administration

Your fire risk assessment should consider all of the following points. This list is not exhaustive and additional actions may be needed for your premises and its unique requirements.

The person carrying out the fire risk assessment has the right knowledge and level of experience required for the premises and activities that happen in it:

An Action Plan has been prepared, communicated and improvements identified will be made according to it:

The date of the next assessment and any circumstances that might mean one needs to be done before this date has been agreed:

Comments/actions:

Building and contents

All elements of the construction have been checked and factored into the assessment, including:

The number of storeys (including basements):

The location and protections around combustible elements:

Fire protection for structural frames:

Compartment walls and floors (including checks for unprotected openings and other defects to fire stopping):

Means of limiting the spread of fire and smoke (e.g. door seals):

The layout of the building and floor areas (access to staircases, positioning of fire doors, seating layouts, gangway sizes, racking arrangements, etc.):

Comments/actions:

Building and contents

The history of fires in the building is available:

If the premises are shared, it is known what sorts of activities take place in their parts and you have access to details of their fire risk assessment:

The flammability of furnishings has been factored in, as well as stock, equipment, waste and fuels, etc:

It is known how often and for how long the building is left vacant and what processes might take place during these times, and what security measures are in place:

All work processes and other activities have been considered:

Comments/actions:

People

It is known how many people are likely to be in the building at any time, and how many will be:

Visitors not familiar with the building (i.e. members of the public, temporary workers, contractors, etc.):

Employees/ tenants/ other regular occupants:

Vulnerable people who might need assistance when evacuating:

Comments/actions:

People

The likely reaction of people in the building to a fire or fire warning has been considered:

Suitable and sufficient training has been provided for employees and it is recorded and there are appropriate arrangements established for sourcing and the delivery of relevant refresher training:

The possibility that occupants might be asleep or might have impaired judgement due to drink or drugs has been factored in to arrangements for raising the alarm and escaping:

Comments/actions:

Escape process

The means of providing warning of a fire, including detection and alarm systems, is appropriate for the building and processes and people within it and is properly maintained so that it is always in working order:

Escape routes are well-lit with emergency lighting systems where required and easily visible signs:

It has been agreed and communicated to regular occupants how fire warnings will be delivered (e.g. in stages/ by area/ differing sounds per threat):

Assembly points are easy to locate and access and are clearly marked with measures to prevent obstructions (e.g. parked vehicles):

Arrangements have been made to help vulnerable or injured people escape. If the premises are in an industry like healthcare, ‘progressive horizontal evacuation’ has been considered:

The responsibility to make sure all people have safely escaped has been designated to people with the right knowledge and training (i.e. fire marshals):

There are regular fire drills to ensure measures in place for a timely evacuation are good enough:

Comments/actions:

Prevention/protection

The following have been actioned to improve fire safety:

Methods of working that eliminate or reduce sources of fuel:

Methods of storage that eliminate or reduce sources of ignition:

Methods to eliminate or reduce sources of oxygen (e.g. closing doors/windows not used for ventilation):

Ventilation systems not essential to the function of the workplace are shut down:

Oxidising materials are not stored at the premises:

Use and storage of oxygen cylinders is controlled:

Comments/actions:

Prevention/protection

Appropriate security measures are in place (for the prevention of risks like arson):

The introduction of sources of fuel and ignition, including during maintenance periods, is formally monitored:

All measures for the elimination or control of identified fire hazards (including ‘common’ ones, like cigarette smoking, and particular ones that might not be directly associated with business activities) are in place and comply with legislation (such as DSEAR):

Fire-fighting equipment (with training if needed) is available and is appropriate for the fire risks present:

Fire safety measures are compatible with those proposed or implemented by other occupants of the building:

Comments/actions:

Hazards

The following have all been considered as part of the risk assessment.

Please note: This list is not exhaustive and there will be unique hazards in your premises and presented by your work activities. The below hazards will not all necessarily apply to every assessment.

Arson:

Battery chargers:

Candles and other naked flames:

Combustible materials (furniture, packaging materials, stock, etc.):

Contractors’/ builders’ activities (particularly hot work like welding or use of heated tar boilers):

Cooking areas/ equipment:

Electric motors (i.e. on/in machines):

Explosives and explosive devices that might be easily ignited by vibration or friction:

Finely divided combustible materials or dusts which may be easily ignited or get into machines and electrical equipment:

Fixed electrical installations and fittings:

Flammable, highly flammable or extremely flammable liquids and explosive gases:

Friction (due to a machine fault, wear and tear, loose drive belts, sparks, etc.):

Heating appliances, boilers and heated surfaces:

Hot air shrink wrap guns:

Housekeeping and storage problems:

Industrial processes:

Lightning:

Overheated equipment (e.g. due to blocked ventilation grilles):

Portable electrical devices and appliances:

Pressure vessels and materials stored under pressure:

Smoking and discarded smoking materials:

Static electricity (especially where flammable/explosive substances may be present):

Unattended processes involving heat, pressure, electrical arcs/ sparks, flammable substances, reactive/ volatile chemical, etc:

Unattended operation of machinery:

Volatile chemicals (materials that are inherently likely to spontaneously combust when exposed to air/ oxidising agents):

Welding activities:

Comments/actions:

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1 Administration
2 The premises and existing arrangements
3 People
4 Detection, control and safety
5 Prevention and protection
6 Hazards