A Fire Risk Assessor Was Prosecuted For Failing to Provide a Suitable Fire Risk Assessment

Ashgate Property Developments Ltd were fined £36,000 for ‘three separate offences relating to the same premises. The Fire Risk Assessor pleading guilty to ‘failing to provide a suitable and sufficient’ Fire Safety Risk Assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and was fined £750 as well as being ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and a £170 surcharge.

The judge summarised by noting that competence ‘is knowing when you yourself aren’t able to do something- and that risk assessors should recognise the limits of their experience and expertise’

This highlights that there are consequences for failing to comply with Fire Safety laws. It is a stark warning to building owners and identified ‘Responsible Persons’ that people carrying out Fire Safety Risk Assessments should be competent in Fire Safety.

London Fire Risk Assessments is an independent Fire Safety Consultancy based in London and their frontline team always advise customers to ask 2 very important questions before they even request a Quotation for a Fire Risk Assessment.

1. Is the Fire Risk Assessor fully qualified to carryout a Fire Safety Inspection/Audit and what are the Assessors credentials?
2. Does the Fire Risk Assessor carry Professional Indemnity Insurance and Public and Employee Liability insurance?

If the answer is ‘no’ to either question don’t be tempted to appoint them as they may not be able to provide you with a ‘suitable and sufficient’ Fire Risk Assessment.

If you carry out a general internet search you will note many Fire Safety Services in London offering all kinds of deals. These Companies are slowly leaving the Fire Safety arena as they are now realising that they will be held accountable if they provide an insufficient Fire Safety Risk Assessment.

One of the safest places to source a Fire Risk Assessor is the Institution of Fire Engineers. They are an independent body that assess the competency of Fire Risk Assessors. They have an Approved Risk Assessors Register on their website which is easy to use – simply put in your postcode or select an area and a list of Approved Assessors will come up.

London Fire Risk Assessments are members of the Institution of Fire Engineers and carry both Professional Indemnity and Public and Employee Liability insurance. They have been providing ‘suitable and sufficient’ Fire Risk Assessments since the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. All their Assessors are retired London Fire Brigade Fire Safety Officers, so they have vast experience in both fighting Fires and Preventing them!

If you would like to discuss ‘What is a suitable and sufficient Fire Safety Risk Assessment’ then give their friendly team a call on 0781 8888626 alternatively click here.