1 Fire hazards
• Have you found anything that could
start a fire?
• Have you found anything that could burn?
• How could a fire start?
• Think about heaters, lighting, electrical
equipment and hot works
• Have you considered smoking and
the use of matches?
• Hot processes, welding and grinding
should also be taken into account
2 People at risk
• Everyone is potentially at risk from fire
• Think about night staff or people not
familiar with the premises, such as
visitors or customers
• Children, the elderly or disabled people
are especially vulnerable
• Who could be at risk?
• Who could be especially at risk?
3 Evaluate and act
• Have you assessed the risks
in the workplace?
• Do you have enough escape routes?
• Have you planned escape routes?
• Have you made sure people will be able
to safely find their way out, even at night?
• Is a fire alarm system needed?
• Are signs, such as fire exit signs, needed?
• Is emergency lighting required?
• Are fire extinguishers needed and, if so,
where should they be located?
• Have you kept sources of ignition away
from fuel sources?
• Have you made sure that everyone is safe
in case of fire?
• Do you have a fire safety plan?
• Who will call the fire and rescue service?
• Could you put out a small fire and stop
it spreading?
4 Record, plan and train
• Have you planned what everyone
will do if there is a fire?
• Do all your staff know the plan?
• Have staff had up-to-date training
and completed a fire drill?
• Have you included temporary staff?
• Are you maintaining everything that is
provided or required to keep people
safe from fire?
• Formulate your action plan to reduce
the fire hazards. The plan is an inventory
of actions, normally prioritised and
time constrained to devise, maintain
or improve controls. Remember, where
appropriate, this can be eliminating or
controlling hazards (e.g. better separation
of combustible materials from
ignition sources)
5 Review
• Keep your assessment under regular
review. Remember to update it as risks
or hazards change. If you make any
significant changes, you should review
your risk assessment. Have you made
any changes to the building since the
last assessment?
• Have you had a fire or a near miss?
• Have stock levels changed significantly?
• Have you started to store chemicals
or dangerous substances?
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Fire risk assessment checklist 2022