Element 6 - Fire Safety Risk Assessment

Question 1

A suitable and sufficient risk assessment is one that:

Answer 1

Completed by competent person.
Identifies all significant hazards and evaluate the risk.
Identifies the people at risk.
Evaluate existing controls and the need for further controls.
Involve staff and their Representatives in the process.
Identifiers and prioritises action plans.
Identify the responsible person.
Records the significant findings of the assessment.
Appropriate for the nature of work and remains vaild for a reasonable period of time.

Question 2

Objectives of a fire risk assessment

Answer 2

Identifying fire hazards in the workplace.
Identifying who is at risk.
Evaluating the level of risk.
Deciding measures to remove hazards and control risk.
Implementing those measures.

Question 3

Reasons for assessing and managing fire risk

Answer 3

Prevent harm to people (Moral Duty).
Comply with the law (Legal obligation).
Minimise the cost of fires at workplace (Financial).

Question 4

Definition of an accident

Answer 4

Undesired and unplanned event which can result in:

• harm to individuals.
• production loss.
• damage to property, plant, products or the environment.
• increase liabilities.
• or a combination of any of the above.

Question 5

Different categories of incident

Answer 5

Injury accidents.
Ill health.
Dangerous occurrences - reportable under RIDDOR 2013.
Near misses.
Fire damage only incidents.

Question 6

Written fire safety policy should cover:

Answer 6

Who has responsibility for fire safety at board level.
Who is the responsible person for each premises.
Arrangements for nominated persons to carry out tasks if there is a fire.
Arrangements for senior managers to monitor and check the fire safety legislation requirements are being met.

Question 7

RRFSO legal requirements for fire safety in non-domestic premises:

Answer 7

A fire risk assessment.
Identification of Fire hazards and risks and persons at risk.
Removal and reduction of risks as far as reasonably practicable.
Fire precautions to deal with any remaining risks including emergency procedures.
Recording and review of the risk assessment.

Question 8

Process of fire safety risk assessment

Answer 8

• Identify fire hazards - sources of ignition, fuel, oxygen.
• Identify people at risk.
• Evaluate risk from fire, remove risk, reduce hazards/risk and protect from risk with detection, alarms, escape routes,maintenance.
• Record, plan, inform, train - emergency plans.
• Review - revise and review assessment when necessary.

Question 9

Identifying hazards by using:

Answer 9

Inspection.
Job task analysis.
Legislation.
Manufacturing info and Safety data sheets.
Incident data

Question 10

People at risk include:

Answer 10

Operatives.
Maintenance staff.
Cleaners and contractor.
Visitors.
Members of public.
Young persons.
Vulnerable or Disabled Persons.

Question 11

Matters to take into account during risk assessment in respect of young persons

Answer 11

• Inexperience, lack of awareness of risks.
• Fitting out a layout of the premises.
• Nature degree and duration exposure to physical and chemical agents.
• work equipment and the way its handled.
• Organisation of processes and activities.
• extent of safety training to be provided.

Question 12

Factors that increase the risk of fire breaking out

Answer 12

Poor housekeeping - accumulated combustibles.
Poor storage, segregation of incompatible materials.
Large inventory of fuel.
Poorly maintained equipment.
Smoking.
Inappropriate management of building alterations.
Use of portable heating appliances.
Lack of security and lighting to deter arsonists.

Question 13

Factors that increase the risk of people being harmed by fire

Answer 13

• Their location in relation to likely fire starting point e.g. single escape route, blocked escape routes, high rise.
• Fire/ smoke spread to remote parts of building e.g. poorly maintained walls, voids, ducts, combustible structural elements.
• Fire/ smoke spread due to poor fire precautions e.g. inadequate fire doors, lack of fire stopping.

Question 14

Three ways which Fire Starts

Answer 14

• Accidental event e.g. smoking, damage to lighting.
• An act or omission e.g. poorly maintained electrical equipment, accumulation of combustibles, poor storage of incompatible materials.
• Deliberate Intent e.g. arson.

Question 15

Reducing risk caused by potential sources of ignition

Answer 15

• Enforcing the smoking policy.
• Replacing naked flame and radiant heaters.
• Correct installation and maintenance of electrical and gas equipment.
• Permit to work for hot work.
• Taking precautions to avoid arson.

Question 16

Reducing the risk caused by potential sources of fuel

Answer 16

• Reducing stocks of flammable material, liquid and gas to a minimum.
• Using dedicate storage areas for flammable material.
• Using non-combustible building materials for building modification.
• Removing highly combustible wall and ceiling surfaces e.g. polystyrene tile, carpets.
• Developing formal system of control for combustible waste.

Question 17

Reducing risk caused by potential sources of oxygen

Answer 17

• Close doors windows that are not required for ventilation.
• Shutting down non-essential ventilation Systems.
• Storing oxidising material away from heat from flammable material.
  Controlling use and storage of oxygen cylinders e.g. not leaking, ventilated.

Question 18

Reducing the risks to persons in the event of Fire

Answer 18

• Means of detecting fire.
• Adequate alarm system.
• Means of Escape.
• Means of Fire fighting.
• Arrangements for action to be taken in event of Fire.

Question 19

Principles of prevention

Answer 19

• Elimination of the fire Hazard.
• Using physical engineering controls - collective over individual.
• Administrative control of person - job design, safe system of work, training and instruction, supervision.
• Personal protective equipment.

Question 20

Legal requirement for Recording of significant findings in risk assessment:

Answer 20

• Organisations employing five or more people.
• Licensed premises.
• Premises when alteration notice is in force.

Question 21

Information that should be included in the records of significant findings of fire risk assessment.

Answer 21

• Name of person carrying out assessment.
• Date carried out and date for review.
• Details of the responsible person.
• Information on significant fire hazards.
• Persons who may be a risk.
• Measures to reduce the likelihood a fire occurring.
• Measure taken to reduce the risk to persons.
• Information on the actions that people need to take in the event of Fire.
• Requirements for provision of information instruction and training.

Question 22

Reasons that would require a fire risk assessment to be reviewed

Answer 22

Alteration to building - extensions, internal layout.
Changes to work process - new substances.
Introduction of new machinery or furniture.
Change number or type of employee.
Change in quantity of stock held or storage of hazardous substances.
After a fire, explosion or near miss.
After failure of fire precautions - detection, alarm system.
Inspection or monitoring which identifies a fire hazard.
Change in legislation or guidance.
Following enforcement action.
After a period of time.

Question 23

Sources of information that can be used in the risk assessment process

Answer 23

Legislation - RRSFO, Build Regs 2010, approves document B, and M
Health and safety executive - guidance notes
British and international standards - PAS 79:2012
Industry standards and codes of practice.
Organisations fire emergency plan
Previous risk assessments.
Trade unions.
Manufacturers data.
Advice from insurance companies
Fire and safety periodicals.
Information from fire and enforcement authorities and competent colleagues.