
A Fire Risk Assessment required in an Office or Retail Shop in the United Kingdom
Thought for 16s
Yes. A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for almost every office and retail shop in the United Kingdom. There is no “too small” exemption for a workplace.
The duty sits on the responsible person (England and Wales) or dutyholder (Scotland). In a workplace that is usually the employer if they control the premises. It can also be the occupier, owner, landlord or managing agent. In a multi-occupied building there may be several responsible persons, who must co-operate.
England and WalesThe law is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It applies to offices, shops and other non-domestic premises. It does not apply to an office in private domestic accommodation used only as a home.
The responsible person must:
Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 amended the Order. Every responsible person must now:
Fire Risk Assessments for Offices and Shops covered by (Home Office, Article 50 guidance). It covers purpose-built or converted offices, individual shop or office units in a larger complex, but not the overall management of a multi-use shopping centre (use the large places of assembly guide for that).Scotland and Northern IrelandEquivalent duties apply, under different statutes:
What the assessment must do The usual five-step approach is:
Practical points for offices and shops
- Carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment
- Take general fire precautions that are reasonably practicable
- Keep the assessment under review, and revise it after significant change (layout, occupancy, processes, a fire or near miss)
Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 amended the Order. Every responsible person must now:
- Record the fire risk assessment in full (not only “significant findings”)
- Record the fire safety arrangements (how fire safety is managed day to day)
- Record the name of any person or organisation who carried out or reviewed the assessment
- Scotland: Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006
- Northern Ireland: Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
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- Identify fire hazards (ignition, fuel, oxygen) — electrics, cooking/tea points, stock, packaging, waste, arson
- Identify people at risk — staff, customers, contractors, lone workers, people with disabilities, people unfamiliar with the building
- Evaluate the risk and decide what to remove, reduce or protect against — detection and alarm, escape routes, emergency lighting, signs, extinguishers, compartmentation, housekeeping
- Record findings, prepare an emergency plan, inform and train people
- Review
- Offices: electrical overload, paper and packaging, kitchens, hot works during fit-out, shared escape routes in multi-let buildings
- Retail: stock rooms, seasonal displays, crowded public areas, blocked aisles and exits, waste and deliveries
- Tenants are usually responsible for their demise; the landlord/freeholder for common parts. Put co-operation in writing
- Home working from a private dwelling does not itself require an FSO fire risk assessment of the home, though an employer still has health and safety duties toward homeworkers
CALL 0800 776 5018 to book a Fire Risk Assessment or to obtain a price . E Mail : sales@fireinspector.co.uk
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