Images Magazine December 2016

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UK legislation states that every non-domestic building must have
a fire risk assessment – that includes all business premises. Not
having a fire risk assessment could mean facing prosecution
or a very hefty fine – and, not least, the sobering prospect of being
unprepared for the event of an actual fire.
The fire risk assessment should look not just at the building and
grounds itself, but the contents and people inside, too: how many
people are there, what activities take place in the building, are there
enough escape routes, and so on? These things must be considered
very carefully in the risk assessment to ensure everyone gets to a place
of safety in the event of a fire.
The risk assessment should be reviewed regularly, as well as every time
a change occurs to the building: for example, if a new dryer is bought,
a new piece of machinery is installed, an office space is converted into
a tea room, or if any building or conversion work takes place. The
key thing to remember is that the fire risk assessment is a working
document, meaning that it should be used on a daily/weekly/monthly
basis. It is not something that should be completed once and locked in
a filing cabinet for a year or more and forgotten about.
If you’re not sure about doing a fire risk assessment yourself, you can
choose a safe and reliable expert to do it for you.
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has a wealth of information about
how to complete a fire risk assessment, including a handy video
introduction to the process, and how to choose an approved fire risk
assessor. We also have a list of certified fire risk assessors who will
be able to help you – simply go to and click ‘Find a
Member’.
18 IMAGES DECEMBER 2016
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT KB
Business Clinic
Q Be prepared: in April the government’s new business rates
revaluation will come into effect for all businesses in England,
Scotland and Wales. It’s the first revaluation in seven years, which
is when the government adjusts the value of business rates to
reflect changes in the property market. To find out if your rates will
be changing, go to
revaluation.
Q The number of UK businesses has hit a record 5.5 million,
according to official statistics from the Department for Business,
Energy & Industrial Strategy. Between 2010 and 2016, there has been
an increase of a million more small businesses, 4,000 more medium-
sized businesses and 900 more large businesses.
How to do a fire risk assessment
Will Lloyd is technical manager
at the Fire Industry Association
(FIA), which is the largest trade
association in the UK for fire safety
professionals. A not-for-profit
organisation, the FIA prides itself on
raising standards for fire safety for
the public though better education
of those who work in the sector.
w
Expert advice on the business of running a garment decoration company
All our members are certified to show that they have the skills,
knowledge and professionalism to help complete fire risk assessments,
so there is no need to worry if the company you are choosing is up to
the job or not.
We also have a short video called ‘Responsible For Fire Safety? | Fire
Safety Explained Video’, which explains all of your responsibilities for
fire safety, which is available on our YouTube channel, www.youtube.
com/TheFireIndustry.