Fire Risk Assessments - FAQ

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A fire risk assessment is a detailed evaluation of your premises to identify fire hazards, assess the risks to people, and implement measures to reduce or eliminate these risks.

A fire risk assessment involves a detailed examination of the building to see if the current fire safety measures are sufficient and if further control measures are required. Equally important to the physical examination, is conducting a review of how fire safety is managed within the building and consider how people in the building will react in a fire, and whether they will take the right actions. 

Yes. There are few exceptions.

Under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and supporting fire safety regulations, a fire risk assessment is necessary in virtually all buildings other than domestic dwellings. If you employ five or more people, you are legally required to document the findings of the fire risk assessment.

The person in control of the premises, often referred to as the "Dutyholder” in Scotland, is legally obligated to ensure a fire risk assessment is carried out. This could be a landlord, employer, or property manager.

Failure to comply can lead to enforcement action by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, fines, and even imprisonment in severe cases. Non-compliance may also invalidate your insurance policy.

The Scottish Government and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service recommend that fire risk assessments should be carried out by suitably competent fire professionals.  To assure you of our competence, we have extensive experience through decades of working in the fire safety industry. Knowledge and understanding of fire risk assessments have been gained through the acquisition of a range of qualifications and training and conducting fire risk assessments over a long period of time and across a diverse range of premises. Our consultants have worked as fire safety officers in the fire service and as a minimum, have acquired professional membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) or Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM). Roy is also listed on the IFSM Tier 2 Register of Competent Fire Risk Assessors. Persons listed on this register must have demonstrated their competence to the IFSM.

A review of the fire risk assessment should be carried out at regular intervals. It should be carried out where the findings of a previous fire risk assessment are felt to be out of date or significant changes have taken place such as changes to the use of the building, floor layout or an increase in the occupancy numbers. A fire risk assessment should also be reviewed following a fire.