Fire safety, fire risk assessments and arson defence

Most fires are preventable with simple maintenance and regular checks. Fire safety should form part of any risk assessment, but there are specific steps to take when it comes to preventing fires.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to non-domestic premises. To comply with the regulations, a responsible person must conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to identify:

• Ignition sources
• Suitable means of detecting and raising the alarm in the event of a fire
• Adequate emergency escape routes and exits
• Appropriate type and number of fire extinguishers
• Correct type and sufficient numbers of fire signs and notices
• Provision for the correct maintenance of fire equipment
• Suitable provision for the protection of Fire Service personnel
• Ensure the occupants receive the appropriate instruction/training in actions to be taken in the event of a fire, using evacuation drills
• The effect a fire could have on neighbours.

The responsible person will be one of the following:

• An employer with control of the workplace
• A person with overall management control of a building
• An occupier of the premises
• The owner of the premises, if it's an empty building
• The landlord where the building is in multi-occupancy.

All businesses with premises (whatever the size) are required by law to have a written fire risk assessment and a record of the fire safety arrangements in place. Details of any person involved in completing or reviewing the fire risk assessment must be recorded.

You can find full guidance on GOV.UK - fire safety law - guidance for businesses.

A fire risk assessment must be carried out regularly by the responsible person. Where appropriate, action should be taken to reduce fire risks.

To help you get started identifying fire risks, you can download our fire safety guidance notes below.

For obvious reasons, kitchens often contain more fire hazards than other parts of a building. There are two main ways fires tend to start in kitchens:

• Cooking processes and the equipment associated with them, for example, accidental overheating of cooking fats and oils, leading to ignition.
• Lack of servicing, maintenance, and inadequate cleaning of the kitchen/cooking areas and the equipment associated with it, for example, inadequate cleaning regimes for cooking appliances.

Due to the heightened risk of fire in kitchen spaces, we have created specific guidance to help protect against kitchen fires.

Checks can be carried out to identify hazards on your premises which may increase the risk of arson:

• Signs of vandalism – these can indicate a higher risk of crime in the area.
• Vulnerable areas around the building - areas undercover or out of clear sight.
• Fire hazards - items such as waste material, inflammable liquids.
• Inadequate security measures – weak locks or jarred windows.
• Fire or intruder alarms – are vulnerable areas of the property all covered by the system?

• Secure outbuildings
• Lock away equipment when not in use
• Clear waste from the grounds
• Empty bins regularly
• Lock gates at night
• Organise routine alarm checks.