What is a Fire Safety Risk Assessment ?

Definition:

A fire safety risk assessment is required following the completion of the fire safety assessment of the apartment building, utilising the “Code of Practice for the Fire Safety Assessment of Premises and Buildings” (2022).

It evaluates and categorises the level of risk arising from each item identified during the fire safety assessment, aiding in the prioritisation of any mitigation or remedial works required.

Evaluating Risk Levels

The risk level of each item identified should consider the impact on the entire building in the event of a fire. The primary focus is the perceived risk to the life or safety of the occupants within each apartment/duplex building.

Assessment Approach

Each identified item should be:
- Individually assessed.
-Evaluated as part of its intended sub-system (e.g., control of fire spread).
-Considered within assemblies/building elements that are required. Avoid early judgements about risk levels. A minor fire safety defect on its own may have serious potential when combined with others.

Weighing Risks

Each identified item should be risk assessed with respect to:
- Common Circulation Areas
- Interior of Each Compartment/Apartment
- Inter-Compartment Construction
- External Wall Construction
- Associated External Site Areas and Access Arrangements

Methodology for Fire Safety Risk Assessment

Follow the methodology provided in the “Framework for Enhancing Fire Safety in Dwellings where concerns arise.”

Risk Assessment Process

The process includes, but is not limited to:

Information about the premises, materials, and defects.
Identification of fire defects (hazards) and actual fire safety measures taken.
Assessment of the nature of the impact of the defect in the event of a fire.
Assessment of the contribution of the fire protection measures.
Evaluation of current and potential fire safety management measures.
Consideration of likely consequences in the event of a fire.
Assessment of the relative contribution to fire risk control provided by remedial action.
Formulation of an action plan and engagement with the Fire Authority.
Periodic review of the implementation of the schedule of remedial actions.

Assessing the Overall Risk Rating for Each Item The risk of harm from a fire safety defect is related to the severity of its outcome if it materialises.

Risk Assessment Steps:

Assign a Likelihood Rating
- Rare/remote
- Unlikely
- Possible
- Likely
- Almost certain
Assign an Impact Rating
- Negligible harm (1)
- Minor harm (2)
- Moderate harm (3)
- Major harm (4)
- Extreme harm (5)
Calculate Overall Risk Rating
- Combine likelihood and impact ratings to give an overall risk rating.

Establishing the Overall Risk Rating for Each Risk Item

The product of the two scoring outcomes provides an overall risk rating, based on the table:

Table 1 – Risk rating for each risk item; &
Table 2 – Priority ratings.

Documentation of the Fire Safety Risk Assessment(s)

Following risk assessment, the matters of concern and fire safety defects identified in the fire safety assessment, should be presented in a tabular form in a fire safety risk assessment report.

The fire safety risk assessment report should include an appropriate plan and timeline for the mitigation of each risk item.

The fire safety risk assessment report may subsequently be developed into a schedule of remedial works.