Why Fire Risk Assessments Are Essential for Businesses in Birmingham

A fire risk assessment is the first step in your fire safety plan. Let’s go over why you need one for your business, what they involve and who can help you get it sorted.

Birmingham is a dense urban environment, with buildings that range from historical houses to modern high-rises, and as a city it poses unique challenges when it comes to fire safety. That means that when choosing a contractor to carry out your fire risk assessment, you should look for one with experience in the area, who is capable of identifying potential fire hazards in various different settings and creating bespoke safety solutions to match.

At Midland Fire, we can do just that. Read on and we’ll tell you everything you need to know about fire risk assessments in your city.

What is a Fire Risk Assessment?

Let’s start at the very beginning. A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement and it’s your first consideration when it comes to setting up fire safety systems for your business.

We highly recommend choosing a BAFE-accredited fire safety contractor to make sure you’re dealing with someone who’s specialised and well versed in UK fire safety regulations. They’ll send out a trained engineer who will thoroughly inspect your business premises to identify potential hazards and the people or staff that are most at risk. Then they’ll determine which fire safety measures and management policies are needed to reduce the risk of those hazards causing any harm or damage.

What to Expect During Your Fire Risk Assessment

So what will happen during your business’s FRA? Here’s a step by step outline of what to expect if you choose Midland Fire:

• Free consultation: We’ll discuss your business type, the size and layouts of your buildings and any specific concerns you may have.
• On-site assessment: Our experienced engineers will inspect your business premises to identify all potential fire hazards and the people most at risk. They’ll review escape routes and any existing emergency lighting, alarms and extinguishers.
• Detailed report: You’ll receive documentation outlining our findings and an action plan of which fire safety measures and management policies are needed.
• Follow-up work: Our team is on hand to answer questions and implement any of our suggested recommendations.

What Happens Next?

The results of your FRA will lay out and prioritise the systems and policies needed to set up or improve fire safety at your business and ensure that you’re following the correct UK regulations. The results may include:

• Fire alarm system Birmingham installation or improvements.
• Installing fire extinguishers in particular places.
• Emergency lighting systems to help people escape in an emergency.
• Correct signage to ensure people know where the nearest exits are.
• Clear evacuation plans with regular drills.
• Fire safety training.

The Business Benefits of Fire Risk Assessments

The benefits of a fire risk assessment go beyond just ticking a box. By carrying out a fire risk assessment you are:

• Protecting your property and keeping your staff safe.
• Adhering to the UK fire safety regulations.
• Reducing your risk of insurance disputes in the event of a fire.
• Preventing avoidable fines.
• Minimising the disruption of unnecessary business downtime.
• Giving your business the love it deserves.

Keeping Your Business In Line with UK Regulations

Fire safety in the UK is governed by The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and fire alarms should be installed and maintained according to the BS 5839 standards.

The guidelines around fire risk assessments are as follows:

• A fire risk assessment is a legal obligation for all non-domestic premises.
• Your fire risk assessment should be carried out annually, or if there are any substantial changes to your building, assets or staffing in the meantime.
• You must appoint a “Responsible Person” who makes sure that assessments are carried out and kept up to date.
• If you have five or more employees, a record must be kept of your FRA and any significant findings.

If you don’t stick to these guidelines, you could face hefty fines, prosecution and even insurance disputes in the event of a fire – so now’s the time to act.

Why Choose Midland Fire for Your Fire Risk Assessment in Birmingham?

Midland Fire is a BAFE-accredited fire safety specialist, providing free consultations and expert fire risk assessments in Birmingham. You can trust us because our team has a deep knowledge of local building types and the common causes of fires in Birmingham that businesses are affected by, as well as good relationships with local suppliers and fire authorities.

We support businesses of all sizes across a range of sectors, so whatever company you run, we’re here to help.

25 years of experience
We’ve been protecting people and businesses since 1999.

Expert engineers
Each of our 30 engineers is a time served electrician and a fully qualified fire alarm engineer.

Full support from start to finish
We’ll effectively manage each stage of your project from consultation and design to installation, certification and maintenance.

Quality products
Midland Fire only supplies products from reputable brands that we know will future proof your business.

Reliable Fire Risk Assessments from Midland Fire
To keep your business safe and compliant with current regulations, choose Midland Fire for your next fire risk assessment in Birmingham.

As a full service provider, we can then install the right equipment to meet the requirement of your FRA. We also offer fire alarm installation and maintenance packages, as well as a range of security services too. Our friendly engineers are on hand to advise you and offer expert guidance on how to meet the safety needs of your business.

At Midland Fire WE PROTECT. Contact us today for your free consultation.

Your Burning Questions Answered

Why are fire risk assessments important?

Fire risk assessments are a legal obligation for your business. They keep your staff and property safe and they’re the first step towards implementing a fire safety system that adheres to the UK regulations.

How often should I review my fire risk assessment?

To keep your business in line with the UK fire safety regulations, you need to carry out a fire risk assessment at least once a year, or when significant changes occur to your building or operations.

Who is responsible for arranging a fire risk assessment?

The “Responsible Person” is responsible for keeping your fire risk assessment up to date. This is usually the business owner or facilities manager.

What happens if I don’t carry out a fire risk assessment?

An FRA is a legal requirement for all non-domestic properties, so you could face enforcement notices, fines or prosecution under UK fire safety law if you don’t have one. In the event of a fire, you may also find that your insurance is invalid if you haven’t adhered to the UK fire safety regulations.

Do I need a professional to carry out the assessment?

It’s highly recommended that you choose a BAFE-accredited contractor like Midland Fire to carry out your fire risk assessment so that you can be sure that it’s been done correctly, and that all recommendations comply with the safety standards.