Fire Risk Assessment Review After Building Changes

Changes to a building can affect a Fire Risk Assessment greatly. In some cases even minor changes to a building can render a previously adequate Fire Risk Assessment invalid overnight.

New Walls, Doors, or Openings

The physical structure of a building can change dramatically with simple physical changes to the building. Internal walls, doors and openings all affect how fire and smoke can travel through a building. When a Fire Risk Assessment has been based on the previous structure of a building the assessor must consider the new structure and confirm that the building still has been divided into fire separated compartments (compartmentation) and that fire still cannot spread from compartment to compartment.

Changes to Occupancy or Headcount

A space which previously was a storeroom now will be staffed office space and hence evacuation procedures including time for evacuation and the capacity of exit routes need to be revisited as the number of people would be vastly different to previous use.

New Storage or Hazardous Materials

Even storing goods differently in different ways can increase the fire load. The Fire Risk Assessor will need to identify what stores are within the area of assessment, where they are located and in what quantities to determine if current measures are adequate to manage the risk of fire.

Altered Escape Routes or Fire Door Positions

The position of fire doors and escape routes have been moved as part of the refurbishment. Any business who require a Fire Risk Assessment Milton Keynes after a refurbishment will need to inform the assessor of these changes prior to the assessment taking place.

Changes to Fire Systems

Changes to fire systems, such as alarm zone changes, installation of fire suppression systems and the relocation of call points also need to be reviewed. As mentioned previously, government guidance on reviewing a fire risk assessment states that significant changes to fire precautions need reviewing in full. More on Fire Risk Assessment Milton Keynes can be found at isefireproducts.co.uk/fire-risk-assessments/milton-keynes/.

So, if there have been any significant changes to your building, it’s better to get a Fire Risk Assessment done before the next inspection! inspection!! – rather than waiting for the inspectors to find out!!