Five steps of a FSRA

To carry out a suitable and sufficient FSRA, it is important to consider each of the following five points as described within the Scottish Government's fire safety guidance booklet.

Please refer to the risk management section of this toolkit for advice on who should carry out the FSRA for properties. There is no prescribed template in the legislation for a FSRA. However, a template is available below.

Step 1 – Identify people at risk

Describe who works in or uses your properties (inside and outside), including visitors and contractors, and how often they use the buildings. It is also necessary to consider and document the age range of users (including the very young, children, and the elderly), the maximum number of people who can safely use buildings at any one time, and those with disabilities.

Step 2 – Identify fire hazards

Lit Match

For a fire to start, there has to be a source of ignition, fuel, and oxygen. If one of these components is missing, a fire cannot start. It is important to stop these three components from coming together to prevent a fire from starting.

Potential ignition sources are those where sources of heat could become hot enough to ignite material found in the premises, including:

  • Discarded smoking material
  • Naked flames such as candles, gas open-flamed equipment
  • Electrical, gas, or oil-filled heaters
  • Hot processes such as repair work
  • Cooking equipment
  • Lighting equipment such as lamps
  • Deliberate fire raising
  • Faulty electrical installation and equipment

Potential sources of fuel, sometimes referred to as combustibles, include fixtures such as pews, other wooden fittings, contents, and the physical structure of properties. For example:

  • Textiles, soft furnishings and clothing
  • Flammable liquids and solvents
  • Flammable chemicals & gases
  • Seasonal decorations
  • Stored woods and furniture

The main source of oxygen within properties is from open windows and doors. However, any structural defects might also be a significant source of oxygen. Some chemicals are oxidising and may provide additional sources of oxygen if used or stored incorrectly.

Step 3 – Evaluate the risk and decide if existing fire safety measures are adequate

The chances of a fire starting will be low if there are few ignition sources. However, properties should be critically examined to identify any potential accidents, acts, or omissions which might allow a fire to start. Good housekeeping practices and procedures should aim to reduce or eliminate the storage of any paperwork, cardboard, unused paints, fuels, gases, wood and other combustibles being stored within the buildings, especially in closed cupboards and in close proximity to gas or electrical installations.

It is important to consider the likelihood of deliberate fire raising as part of this evaluation.

Having considered the chances of a fire starting and the people likely to be at risk, the extent of the actual risk to those people must be considered. For example, the possibility of:

  • Fire starting on a lower floor, affecting the escape route for people on upper floors, especially when there is only one escape route
  • Fire developing near the only final exit
  • Fire and smoke spreading because of open windows and doors
  • Fire and smoke spreading through large open areas, such as a sanctuary
  • Fire and smoke affecting the behaviour of people in the property

Step 4 – Record FSRA information

Once the FSRA has been carried out, the findings must be recorded, including any action taken or to be taken in future. The record must be kept on the property and all employees and other relevant people such as volunteers must be made aware of its contents. The fire service may also wish to see a copy of the record if they visit a property.

Although the Fire (Scotland) Act requires that a record is kept if five or more employees are employed, the Church of Scotland requires that all congregations keep a record of their FSRA and any further action taken to control the risks of fire.

Step 5 – Review of FSRA

FSRAs should be reviewed regularly. If the findings of the assessment are no longer considered to be valid, a significant change has taken place affecting a property, or organisation of the work undertaken has affected the fire risk or the fire safety measures, the assessment should be reviewed. Situations which might prompt a review include:

  • A change in the number of people present or the characteristics of the occupants, including the presence of people with some form of disability
  • Changes to work procedures, including the introduction of new equipment
  • Alterations to the building, including the internal layout
  • Significant changes to furniture and fixings
  • Significant changes to displays or quantities of stock
  • An introduction or increase in the storage of hazardous substances
  • Becoming aware of shortcomings in fire safety measures or potential improvements.