Fire risk assessment

A fire risk assessment is a methodological look at all the fire hazards present in the workplace
and work activities. It is used to determine the chances of a fire starting and how it can cause
harm to the people in the workplace (Safety Section., 2013). The main goal of a fire risk
assessment is to prevent or reduce the potential breakthrough of a fire in the workplace by
identifying and mitigating the various hazards early on (MCFA, 2022). The fire risk assessment
also helps to comply with the relevant legal requirements of fire safety (MCFA, 2022). It also
ensures that all the appropriate fire safety measures to protect against a fire, such as fi re alarms
and fire extinguishers, are properly maintained and implemented (Thamside Fire protection.,
2020 ).

There exist several types of risk assessments which can be broadly classified into two different
categories namely qualitative risk assessment and quantitative risk assessment. Qualitative risk
assessment is whereby information gathered is expressed numerically. Quantitative risk
assessment is where information is gathered based on interviews and first hand observation.
There also exists another sub category known as

The fire risk assessment process can be broken down into 5 steps.

1. Identify the fire hazards

This step includes the identification of all the fire hazards in the workplace. A fire hazard
is anything that can start a fire, such as smoking materials, portable heating equipment. In
the textile industry, these can include waste product, fabrics and chemicals (Textile blog.,
2020).
Hazard sources can be classified in two different categories; namely primary hazards and
secondary hazard. Primary sources include: ignition sources, fuel sources and oxygen
sources, while secondary hazards are those that prevent an adequate response in the event
of a fire (FireRite, n.d.).
 Primary hazards
i. Ignition sources
Ignition sources includes naked flames from heating appliances, external sparks
from impact tools and internal sparks from faulty machinery (Waqar A., 2022).
ii. Sources of fuel.
Sources of fuel include:
 Solids such as wood, paper, cardboard. In a textile industry, solid sources
of fuel include loose fabrics and tracing paper.
 Liquid fuel sources includes adhesives, paints, varnish and toluene.
Adhesives are more commonly used in textile during a process called
fusing whereby the fabrics are merged together using heated plates which
melts the glue and fuses the fabrics together (Sewing Guru.).
 Gases such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas( LPG), acetate; In the textile
industry, singeing is a process used whereby fibers/ yarns ends are burned
over using gas flames to burn unnecessary protruding pieces (PuneGas,
n.d.).
iii. Sources of oxygen
Oxygen is an important component in a fire as it supports the chemical process
and reacts with the fuel and hence releases heat and generates gases, smoke and
other materials (SmokeyBear , n.d.). Sources of oxygen includes the air around
us, air conditioning and oxygen supplies such as cylinder storage.

2. Identify the people at risk

Employees, especially those who work alone, vulnerable people such as pregnant women
and handicapped individuals, young persons, fire fighters and other people who are in the
immediate vicinity are to be considered in the risk assessment. Special considered should
be given if sleeping accommodation is provided, people are mentally or physically
challenged; people are unable to react quickly; and if people are isolated.
3. Evaluation of risks
A fire can occur in several different ways such as accidentally, by act or omission or
deliberate fire. The risk levels are usually classified into 3 categories:

Low risk; where the risk of a fire occurring is low or the risk to person’s lives is low or
the risk to a person’s life is minimal and the rate of fire spreading is negligible and people
would have plenty of time to react in the event of a fire.
Normal risk; which is usually what most workplace fire is classified into. In this
instance, the fire would be spreading relatively slow and with adequate fire warning
people would be able to escape to a place of safety.
High risk; is where the fire would spread rapidly and the available time to evacuate
would depend on the rate of development of the fire.

4. Record findings
Section 11 of the (Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2005) provides that where there
are more than 5 employees in an organization, the findings of the risk assessment should
be recorded. The record should also contain any employee who is especially at risk such
as lone workers and pregnant women. The record should be kept fairly simple so that it is
easy to understand.

5. Review of risk assessment.

Like a normal risk assessment, a fire risk assessment is not a one-off event but rather is
an ongoing process and should be continuously monitored to ensure the existing fire
safety measures are effective. Moreover, Section 10(2) of the (Occupational Safety and
Health Act, 2005) also provides that the risk assessment should be reviewed not later
than 2 years, where the employer has been informed by the Permanent Secretary that it
is no longer valid or if there are any changes pertaining to it. Furthermore, there are
other circumstances where a risk assessment should be reviewed where there is
significant change in the occupancy; when there are changes in work structure and
processes or the building itself; there has been the introduction of new equipment,
hazardous substances pr there is a significant increase in people.