A fire risk assessment is an audit of a building or structure to ensure the building is safe for its occupants from fire. Fire risk assessments are conducted on a methodical process which considers the likelihood of a fire starting and the consequence of a fire to its occupants. Depending on the requirements of the building and structure a fire risk assessment can also consider property protection and business continuity. Fire risk assessments are generally conducted on the following five steps.
- Identify the potential fire hazards including sources of ignition and sources of fuel
- Identify people at risk including people
- Evaluate, Remove, Reduce the fire risk with appropriate action
- Record, Plan, Inform, Instruct, Train the premises owner
- Monitor, Review and Revise the FRA at regular interval
Some complex fire risk assessments can also look further into issues related to property protection and business continuity. Under such circumstances some of the following factors are considered:
- Cost benefit analysis of fire safety measures
- Business continuity issue related to fire
- Specific high-risk activity which requires fire safety assessment
- Fire risk assessment for dangerous substance and explosive atmosphere
- Quantitative fire risk assessment based on historical data
