Monday 22 September 2014

Fire Safety and Risk Assessment in the U.K.

The U.K. is known as one of the most thorough nations when it comes to fire safety. In fact it has comprehensive fire legislation not commonly known elsewhere in the world. Has anything changed in the country when it comes to the enforcement of fire safety laws? For starters, fires have been steadily declining, due in no small part to wetter weather. However, as long as fires pose a threat to life and property, there can be no rest for those in charge of people’s safety. In the end, only the quick action of a business or institution can prevent the terrible loss of life and of property.

As a legal requirement in the workplace, fire risk assessments in the U.K. usually involve a five-step process of identification, evaluation, action, recording, and review. The format may differ with each assessor, but the steps taken are relatively the same. The business or institution assessed must then follow the recommended measures to reduce fire hazards.
Fire risk management extends beyond having the right fire-fighting equipment in the workplace. It can also include basic drills, first aid, and any other aspect that can mitigate the effects of a fire. Most, if not all, are included in a fire risk assessment program.
As fire risk management evolves, a thorough fire risk assessment becomes increasingly important. There's currently no set rule as to how often you should have one, but it should be updated every time you make changes to the workplace.

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