Each business is legally required to appoint a ‘Responsible Person’. This is someone who will take on the business’ fire safety duties. While this can be anyone within the business, it is generally an individual or individuals with control of the premises such as the employer, the owner, the landlord, an occupier, a facilities manager, building manager, managing agent or risk assessor.

However, over 80% of businesses in Wales outsource this responsibility, appointing fire safety businesses like us to keep up with assessments and ensure the business is operating in a safe, compliant manner.

Every business, no matter how big or small, must conduct fire risk assessments regularly. Here at Twenty4 Fire and Security, we advise that our customers complete a full assessment at least once a year. However, if you have made structural changes to a business premises or have changed the nature of the work carried out there, a fresh fire risk assessment is required to be completed by law.

Fire risk assessments start from just £99 + VAT. However, at Twenty4 Fire and Security, we quote on a job-by-job basis, creating tailored plans to ensure each business we work with is getting the fire safety service and advice it needs. This can be paid in full before the assessment takes place or can be included in your SmartPlan.

This is very common, like a lot of business owners they are likely to be very busy and the responsibility of having to conduct a fire risk assessment is no easy task. Where do they start? The easy option is to “pass the buck” to a manager or member of staff.

WARNING – The following information should be considered very carefully by you and your boss.

The Law states you can conduct your own fire risk assessment if you have the expertise to do so. That’s the issue, very few people have the expertise to conduct a fire risk assessment. You would need to have a good understanding of a number of LAW’s and British standards. Below are just a few:

1. The fire safety order
2. BS 5839 – for fire detection and warning systems
3. BS 5266 – for emergency lighting
4. BS 8214 – for fire resisting doors
5. BS 5306 – for fire extinguishers

Carrying out a fire risk assessment when you do not have the expertise to do so, in any type of premises does not only put people’s lives at risk but if a fire were to start you could also be liable for large fines or even a prison sentence. As a company boss or owner of the property, it is their responsibility to appoint a competent person to conduct the assessment.