Fire risk assessment
A structured examination of a premises to identify fire hazards, evaluate the risk of fire occurring and spreading, and determine the precautions needed to protect occupants. Required by fire safety legislation in GB and Ireland.
Also known as
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“fire risk assessment”Exact equivalentArticle 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to relevant persons from fire on the premises. The assessment must be reviewed regularly and when significant changes are made. Employers with five or more employees must record the significant findings.
Irish HSA
“fire risk assessment”Close equivalentThe Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (Part 3) require employers to assess the risk of fire in the workplace and implement appropriate fire safety measures. The risk assessment must identify fire hazards, persons at risk, and the actions needed to reduce risk.
US OSHA
“fire hazard assessment”Partial equivalentOSHA does not mandate a general fire risk assessment equivalent to the GB or Irish requirements. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 requires an emergency action plan that includes fire prevention and evacuation procedures. 29 CFR 1910.157 requires a fire prevention plan for employers using portable fire extinguishers. NFPA codes referenced by OSHA may require fire hazard analysis for specific occupancies.
Practitioner note: A separate duty from the general risk assessment. In GB it sits under the Fire Safety Order with the responsible person, not under MHSWR.