Fire Risk Assessments for Facilities Managers
Key Requirements Under the Fire Safety Order
Fire risk assessments are an important part of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (FSO), helping facilities managers identify and manage potential hazards in their buildings. This overview explains the main duties and considerations for FMs, providing a clear, practical introduction to keeping premises safe and compliant
Fire safety in the workplace is everyone’s concern, and as a facilities manager, you have a central role in keeping staff, visitors, and property safe. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (FSO) sets out the legal framework, and your job is to make sure your building meets these requirements in a practical, day-to-day way.
This means identifying potential hazards, checking that fire doors, alarms, and escape routes are all in good working order, and keeping accurate records of inspections and maintenance. By taking a consistent, proactive approach, you help create a safe environment where everyone knows the right procedures, and your workplace stays compliant with the law.
Preparing for a fire risk assessment doesn’t have to be daunting, but there are a few common areas where facilities managers often run into issues. One of the most frequent things we see is documentation and records that aren’t up to date—like inspection logs, maintenance reports, or staff training records. Keeping these current makes the assessment process much smoother and shows that your workplace is taking fire safety seriously.
Other practical steps include checking that fire doors are functioning properly, escape routes are clear, and alarms and extinguishers are regularly serviced. By tackling these areas ahead of time, you can reduce surprises during the assessment and feel confident that your building meets the requirements of the Fire Safety Order (FSO).
Even with the best intentions, there are a few fire safety issues that frequently come up in workplaces. From our experience at The Fire Safety Guys, some of the most common include blocked or cluttered escape routes, fire doors that don’t close properly, expired fire extinguishers, and missing or outdated signage.
These may seem like small details, but they can make a big difference in keeping people safe and demonstrating compliance under the Fire Safety Order (FSO). Regular checks and simple fixes—like clearing exits, testing alarms, and updating records—go a long way toward preventing problems before they arise.
Staying on top of fire safety doesn’t have to be stressful. Small, consistent actions make a big difference in keeping your workplace safe and compliant with the Fire Safety Order (FSO). Schedule regular inspections of fire doors, alarms, and extinguishers, and make sure all records and documentation are kept up to date.
Training staff on basic fire safety procedures and reviewing escape routes periodically can prevent small issues from becoming serious problems. By building these simple routines into your regular facility management practices, you’ll maintain a safer workplace and have confidence that your fire safety responsibilities are being met year-round.