What is the role of a fire risk assessor?
22nd December 2023
Fire safety training is vital because it helps to protect staff and visitors in all business sectors - from care homes and hospitals to offices and hotels. As an organisation, you have a duty to look after people’s safety within your premises, which includes ensuring there are correct fire preventative measures in place.
In this blog, we will be unveiling the crucial role of a Fire Risk Assessor and discuss this specific training course in greater detail.
A Fire Risk Assessor is responsible for evaluating and assessing the potential risks of fire in a specific location, such as a building or facility. Their primary objective is to identify potential hazards, assess the effectiveness of existing fire safety measures, and make recommendations to minimise the risk of fire and ensure the safety of people within the premises. Some of the essential tasks Fire Risk Assessors cover:
- Conducting Fire Risk Assessments: They commence their work by conducting thorough assessments of buildings and facilities.
- Reviewing Fire Safety Measures: The assessor evaluates the existing fire safety measures in place, including fire detection systems, firefighting equipment, emergency lighting, fire signage, evacuation procedures and fire safety management.
- Identifying Vulnerable Groups: It is imperative that the Fire Risk Assessor considers the needs of vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly within a care home or hospital setting or those with mobility issues and ensure that PEEPs and GEEPs evacuation plans cater to their specific requirements.
- Documentation: The Fire Risk Assessor documents their findings and recommendations in a formal Fire Risk Assessment report. This report typically includes details about identified hazards, current safety measures, and suggested improvements using PAS 79:2020 methodology.
- Compliance: Ensuring that the premises comply with relevant United Kingdom fire safety legislation and regulations.
- Training and Awareness: Ensure training and raising awareness among staff or residents about fire safety practices and procedures.
- Regular Reviews: Fire Risk Assessments should be regularly reviewed and updated to account for any changes in the premises or its usage that may impact on fire safety.
- Continuous Improvement: Staying informed about changes in fire safety legislation and best practices to ensure ongoing compliance and improvement.
Fire Risk Assessors can work independently or as part of a team, and their role is crucial in offering recommendations to prevent and mitigate the impact of fires in all types of premises.
This 5-day course ensures that, on successful completion, delegates feel competent and empowered to carry out fire risk assessments, produce fire safety reports and fire emergency plans for small to medium size premises in line with current legislation. Forming the first part of the Fire Manager Course (9 day), our training gives delegates the opportunity, at a later date, to enhance their knowledge even further and to apply for Associate Grade with the IFSM or Fire Technician Grade with the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE), subject to their validation criteria. This in-depth course has been designed specifically for individuals employed in a wide range of industrial and commercial settings in both public and the private sector and organisations who require comprehensive, practical training in fire risk assessment.
Training to suit your schedule
It can be time consuming travelling to a venue for training, or it may just not be feasible with your work schedule, which is why our Fire Risk Assessor training is now available as an online course, as well as in-house. Delegates will take part in interactive online sessions via a professional web-based platform delivered by our fully qualified trainers. However, the course lengths, content, and materials remain the same - and you’ll come away with the same levels of knowledge and expertise as our course attendees.
The bottom line
The role of a Fire Risk Assessor is indispensable in creating and maintaining a safe environment against the threat of fire. Their multifaceted responsibilities, from thorough assessments to ongoing training awareness, contribute significantly to the overall safety of staff and visitors within an organisation. With this in mind, if you are ready to brush up on your Fire Risk Assessor knowledge or start your Fire Risk Assessor journey, our training course is the ideal solution. Alternatively, if you’re looking for an alternative fire safety course, our comprehensive course portfolio covers the full spectrum of fire safety training and awareness.
