The person responsible for any University-managed building or space—including laboratories, teaching areas, embedded spaces, offices, stores, or any other premises—must ensure that an appropriate fire risk assessment is carried out. The purpose of the fire risk assessment is to identify the general fire precautions needed to ensure the safety of everyone who may use or occupy the premises.
Most accidental fires are avoidable, and the fire risk assessment is designed to help identify potential fire hazards and enable remedial action to be taken.
Fire risk assessments must now be recorded using RiskBase. If a Word document has previously been completed, it must be transferred into RiskBase to ensure proper documentation, version control, and accessibility.
Fire risk assessments using the University’s standard approach should:
- identify all ignition sources
- identify all combustibles
- identify people at risk
- identify what is currently in place to control the risk
- identify failures that may compromise fire safety
- identify further actions needed and assign responsibilities
- set a review date – this is now managed automatically within RiskBase, which will issue reminders and track due dates to ensure timely reviews
The fire risk assessment should be conducted as a collaborative effort with individuals who have specialist knowledge of the building or processes involved.
The completed fire risk assessment should be shared with all relevant stakeholders and made accessible to anyone working in or occupying the building. It must also be shown to other occupiers, including non-University personnel, who in turn should share their own fire risk assessments.
Individuals conducting fire risk assessments must have sufficient training, experience, knowledge, and other relevant competencies to complete them effectively.
Training and Support
To support those undertaking fire risk assessments, two key training courses are available via CoSy:
- Further Guidance for Fire Risk Assessors – a comprehensive course providing guidance on how to carry out a fire risk assessment, including how to use the RiskBase system
- RiskBase – Fire Risk Assessor Webinar Training – for those already trained in conducting fire risk assessments but new to using RiskBase
It is strongly recommended that anyone involved in fire risk assessment attends the relevant course(s).
Resources and Access
