fire risk assessment

Contractors’ living accommodation – a disaster waiting to happen.

DB Fire Safety was ‘invited’ to carry out a fire risk assessment of a basement in an office block. We cannot name the building (obviously) but suffice it to say that there are 5 floors above the basement – all of which are under major reconstruction. On investigation, the basement had been converted into living accommodation for a large number of contractors working on the building.

Employers must realise and understand that they have a serious duty of care to ensure the safety of all their staff – regardless of their country of origin.

This basement was a disaster waiting to happen. There were no ‘full-height’ partition walls between bedrooms; no fire doors on bedrooms; no testing of the electrical fixed wiring; accepted use of portable electrical appliances that had not been tested. The list went on and on.

Fortunately the HSE and Fire Authority are now involved. If this was a standard HMO it would be shut down immediately.

Fire Risk Assessments Annual Review

The Fire Safety Order requires that all businesses (regardless of size or type) carrybout a fire risk assessment of their premises.

However, it is not sufficient simply to carry out a fire risk assessment then file it in a drawer. Avfire risk assessment should be a living document. There could be alterations to the building; staff levels might change; the nature of occupancy might change. Additionally, the Fire Safety Order requires that a fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly; and best practice is regarded as at least annually.

DB Fire Safety offer fire risk assessments as a service privided at extremely competitive rates.

For more information, phone 0800 772 0559 OR Email: eenquiries@dbfiresafety.co.uk