Fire safety law affects all UK business premises. A fire risk assessment is undertaken to ensure businesses comply with the The Fire Safety Order 2005. Having a Fire Risk Assessment in place is a legal requirement for almost all businesses in the UK. You can carry out your own fire risk assessment; checklists are available from your local council. However, practices and procedures with regards to fire safety can sometimes be complex. If you have a particularly large, complicated workplace, or can't spare the time you have the option to use a professional fire risk assessment company.

The Fire Safety Order 2005 was introduced to replace fire safety legislation that existed at the time with just one straightforward order. Up until that point there were over 70 pieces of UK fire Regulations. It means that any person who has some level of control in premises must take reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire and make sure people can safely escape if there is a fire. Fire certificates will no longer be issued to all but certain high risk establishments. This has now been replaced with the requirement for fire safety risk assessment. Employers have become solely responsible for fire safety within their workplaces.

The emphasis is placed on prevention and reducing risk. Lots of fires can be avoided by taking fire safety measures. If a fire does start, the effects can be kept to a minimum by having effective controls and procedures in place. Therefore the first rule within the Fire Safety Order is that a fire risk assessment identifying any possible dangers and risks must be carried out.

Fire Risk Assessment is the systematic look at potential sources of fire in the workplace, the dangers that fire poses to those who use the workplace and how the risk and spread of fire can be minimised. Once the required risks have been identified the changes must be implemented.

Officials from the fire brigade regularly go around to businesses to make sure they are complying with the rules. Fully documented records need to be kept to make sure that any potential hazards have been noted and dealt with. With the passage of time, the wear and tear of buildings and facilities increase fire risk. Therefore, Fire Risk Assessment is considered a must, and should be conducted every 12 months. The new legislation is self-regulatory which means that it is solely the responsibility of the person responsible for the premises to ensure that a fire risk and safety assessment is in place and that reasonable steps are taken to reduce or remove risk.