DO I NEED A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT?
The answer is yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 makes it compulsory by law for every business, even if you have only one employee, to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment. If you employ five or more people you are required by law to be able to produce a written Fire Risk Assessment on demand.
Charity or voluntary organisations, contractors with a degree of control over any premises and landlords or managing agents of properties in multiple occupation (HMO's) will all require a Fire Risk Assessment.
A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT IS NOT OPTIONAL, IT IS OBLIGATORY BY LAW!!!
WHO IS THE 'RESPONSIBLE PERSON'?
The Order says that the 'Responsible Person' who is usually defined by the legislation as the employer, has to undertake a Fire Risk Assessment. If your organisation employs five or more people you have to record the findings of your assessment. A Responsible Person is defined nearly always being the employer, where there is one, though it can include other individuals too. If you share a building with other organisations, the responsibility may be shared among several people. If you have responsibility for the other people in your organisation, it is safe to assume you will be the Responsible Person, even if others are too.
The responsibilities are: