To be compliant with the Fire Safety Order 2005 anyone responsible for business premises must undertake a fire risk assessment. The fire risk assessment must be carried out for all types of business premises including offices, shops, bars, restaurants, factories, schools, care homes and warehouses and for every type of building, structure and open space. The order says that a person who owns or controls business premises must manage any fire-risk. This person is deemed responsible for complying with this legislation by properly managing fire safety practices and procedures. This includes carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment of the business and premises.

A fire risk assessment is a means determine the likelihood of a fire occurring in the workplace. This is achieved by examining the factors in your work activities and work areas that could cause harm. From the fire risk assessment precautions can be determined to ensure that fire risks are reduced to prevent fire from occurring. A Fire Risk Assessment can be broken down into four steps to simplify the process, this can be shortened to IERR; Identify, Evaluate, Record and Review.

Identifying fire hazards and the people who are at risk. Hazards could include the following sources of ignition, naked flames, heaters, fuel, display materials, textiles or overstocked products. Also the following sources of oxygen such as air conditioning or medicinal oxygen supplies. People who are at risk includes people in and around the premises and people who are especially at risk. People who may be especially at risk could be people working near to fire dangers, people working alone or in isolated areas, children or parents with babies and the elderly or disabled.

Evaluating, remove and protecting from fire risk. In other words, evaluate the risk of a fire starting, the risk to people from fire, remove or reduce fire hazards and risks to people from a fire, and protect people by providing fire precautions. For example, substitute highly flammable materials with less flammable ones, ensure you separate flammable material from ignition sources and have a safe smoking plan.

Recording and educating, any significant findings and actions you have taken must be documented. Discuss and work with other responsible persons if necessary, prepare an emergency plan, and inform and instruct relevant people and provide training.

Reviewing your fire risk assessment regularly and make changes where necessary in essential. A fire risk assessment ought to be carried out regularly each year to ensure the legislation in the Fire Safety Order is adhered to.