Case Study: Hospitality Client

This is a copy of a fire risk assessment we carried out for a Hospitality Client in Cambridgeshire.

Description of the premises

The building, based in the Cambridge area, is a mid-terrace property with two storeys in the main section and another storey extension to the rear. There is a restaurant on the ground floor with living accommodation on the first floor. The restaurant includes a bar, kitchen, and toilets. There is a wooden staircase leading to the living accommodations on the first floor, and a food storage area at the rear of the kitchen. 

The building is mainly built from brick, block, and timber. It has plaster, sheet glass, and concrete.

Who’s potentially at risk?

Six staff members, including one part-time member and two under 18s. Up to 61 seated customers are also at risk.

 

Fire safety plan of the building

A basic plan drawing layout of the building is to be drawn up, including:


The Purpose of the Fire Safety Risk Assessment

      • Identify the fire hazards in the building
      • Identify who might be at risk of the fire hazards
      • Evaluate the risk arising from the fire hazards
      • Assess whether their existing fire safety measures are adequate, or if additional measures are necessary
      • Record the findings of the risk assessment
      • Provide a comprehensive action plan where measures are necessary

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT - Hospitality Client in Cambridge


The scope of the Fire Safety Risk Assessment

The Fire Safety Risk Assessment is carried out to make sure the establishment complies with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. 

The risk assessment is to address property protection or business continuity, but rather exclusively to assess the fire safety measures of the venue. 

 
Likelihood of fire definitions

Risk of fire:

      • Low Risk: The likelihood of a fire occurring is unlikely. 
      • Normal Risk: The likelihood of a fire occurring is possible due to the nature of the building, processes being carried out, or the type of occupants. Most properties fall into this category. 
      • High Risk: The likelihood of a fire occurring is probable due to the nature of the building; over 50 litres of flammable liquids are stored, sleeping accommodation is provided, hazardous materials, and processes are being carried out or due to the type of occupants. 

 

Risk of harm to people

      • Slight Harm: Outbreak of fire is unlikely to result in serious injury or death of any occupant. 
      • Moderate Harm: Outbreak of fire could result in injury of one or more occupants but is unlikely to involve multiple fatalities, other than the death of an occupant in a room in which a fire occurs. 
      • Extreme Harm: Serious potential for the serious injury or death of one or more occupants. 

 

Need for action

      • Trivial: No action is required. 
      • Tolerable: No major additional measures are required. However, there may be a need for minor improvements. 
      • Moderate: It is essential that efforts be made to reduce the risk. Risk reduction measures should be implemented within a limited time period. 
      • Substantial: Major work is required to reduce the risk. Consideration should be given to restricting the use of the building. 
      • Intolerable: The building should not be occupied until the risk is reduced. 

 

Fire Safety Risk Assessment risk levels

The venue’s current preventative measures are at high risk.

With the company’s current safety measures, its employees are at moderate harm.

The risk to life from fire in the building is moderate.

 

Fire Safety Risk Assessment review

The restaurant should review the Fire Safety Risk Assessment regularly to make sure its fire safety measures are up to date and compliant with current legislation.

There should be a comprehensive review of the assessment every year, so the establishment should review it next in July 2023.

 


High priority items

      • The fire safety logbook must record all tests, servicing, staff training and maintenance of all relevant equipment.
      • The Fire Alarm Panel is showing a fire/fault light, and the Manual Call Point is hanging off the wall. Both need to be repaired immediately.
      • The Fire Alarm System needs to be serviced every six months.
      • The Emergency Lighting Unit needs to be tested and a certificate of compliance needs to be recorded in the logbook.
      • A GasSafe Certificate of Conformity must be provided.
      • The fixed electrical wiring installations must be tested by a competent professional.
      • The kitchen extraction system needs to be fire stopped.

 

Overview of medium-priority items

      • A basic plan should be drawn up showing the location of fire extinguishers, escape routes, doors, electrical intakes, and the fire assembly point.
      • The two under 18 employees must receive copies of the Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP).
      • Staff training must be recorded in the logbook.
      • A fire emergency evacuation drill should be created and tested on the staff after they receive training.
      • The fire alarm system must be tested weekly.
      • The fire escape route must be kept clear for evacuation.
      • The staff should check the fire escape routes, corridors, and fire doors weekly.
      • The emergency lighting system should be checked monthly.
      • A fish tail key should be provided so the emergency lighting system can be tested monthly.
      • All portable electronic items must be subjected to a PAT test.
      • All certificates of compliance must be recorded in the fire logbook.
      • The holes in the first floor roof must be filled with fire resistant material.
      • The fire doors must be repaired with cold seal and intumescent strips.
      • The fire doors must be fitted with ‘fire door, keep closed’ signs on both sides.
      • The fire exit needs to be fitted with a ‘fire exit’ sign.
      • The defective emergency lighting systems must be replaced.
      • The furniture must conform to The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988, 1993, & 2010.

 

Overview of low-priority items

      • Hazardous products must be accompanied with COSHH data sheets.
      • The heating and air conditioning must be serviced.
      • Firefighting equipment Certificate of Compliance must be attained.
      • The electrical intake must be marked with a yellow warning sign.
      • All of the fire action notices must be marked with the fire assembly point.
      • The fire extinguisher behind the bar must be tested and serviced.
      • Any outside contractors must be assigned with permits to work.

 

Records

      • Is there a fire safety logbook that tracks the following?:
      • Fire alarm system? No.
      • Emergency lighting system? No.
      • Fire fighting equipment? Yes.
      • Escape routes and fire doors? No.
      • Staff training and fire drills? No.

 

Housekeeping assessment

      • Are the general standards of housekeeping adequate?:
      • Are combustible materials separated from ignition sources? Yes.
      • Are accumulations of combustible waste and storage avoided? Yes.
      • Are boiler rooms and electrical intake rooms free of storage? Yes.
      • Are combustibles appropriately stored? Yes.