Types of Fire Risk Assessment

Our approach is to use PAS 79 methodology for undertaking a fire risk assessment. You can ensure you receive a report covering all relevant aspects of fire safety. The 9 separate steps to carrying out a fire risk assessment are outlined in PAS 79:

• Obtain information on the building, the processes carried out in the building and the people present, or likely to be present, in the building;
• Identify the fire hazards and the means for their elimination or control;
• Assess the likelihood of a fire;
• Determine the fire protection measures in the building;
• Obtain relevant information about fire safety management;
• Make assessment of the likely consequences to people in the event of fire;
• Make an assessment of the fire risk;
• Formulate and document an action plan;
• Define the date by which the fire risk assessment should be reviewed.

Construction fire safety needs to be managed from the earliest stages of design and procurement and needs to address the risks both to site workers and to site neighbours.

Our approach is to use HSG:168 Fire in Construction methodology for undertaking a construction fire risk assessment. In outline, the risk assessment will deliver for those with control over construction work can demonstrate that they have:

• recognised the risks in their workplaces
• considered who will be affected
• assessed the extent of the risks
• come to an informed decision on the necessary action to reduce them
• ensured that the actions decided are implemented

Type 1 assessment – Non-destructive assessment of the common parts of a building.

• Completion of the PAS79 fire risk assessment
• Consideration of the external materials of the building
• Consideration of compartmentation between common areas and the flats
• Inspection of a sample of service risers on all floors
• Inspection above a sample of readily accessible demountable false ceilings if present
• Inspection of a sample of flat front doors
• Comprehensive assessment report to include the significant findings, issues identified and actions required
• Entry into the flats beyond the front door is not included in a type 1 survey.

Type 2 assessment – Destructive inspection of the common parts of a building.

• All of the items in a type 1 assessment
• Inspection of areas of construction in the common parts by use of a camera and borescope as appropriate
• Inspection of areas of construction in the common parts opened up as necessary
• Entry into the flats beyond the front door is not included in a type 1 survey

Type 3 assessment – Non-destructive inspection of the common parts of a building and the flats.

• All of the items in a type 1 assessment
• Plus the following in a sample of flats:
• Consideration of compartmentation between flats
• Consideration of the fire resistance of doors between rooms
• Consideration of the means of escape from the flat
• Consideration of the means of fire detection in the flat
• Testing of the smoke alarm (where present) in the flat

Type 4 assessment – Destructive inspection of the common parts of a building and the flats.

• All of the items in types 1, 2 and 3 assessments and:
• Inspection of areas of construction in the flats by use of a camera and borescope as appropriate
• Inspection of areas of construction in the flats opened up as necessary