As a retailer of a retail premises it is worth knowing about some of the specific hazards that a fire risk assessment could highlight before the assessment takes place.
Stock Storage Height and Density
Stock can block escape routes and hinder evacuation. Also, if stored too high or too densely, stock can spread fire rapidly. The assessor will also check if storage is blocking the operation of sprinkler heads and also check if signs indicating escape routes are being obscured by stock.
Fitting Rooms and Back-of-House Areas
Fitting rooms have a poor reputation for causing fires through discarded clothing that hasn’t been thoroughly cleaned, inadequate ventilation, and poor visibility. Also, stock rooms and other rear areas containing retail equipment and staff facilities, left on at night with equipment such as fluorescent lights, pose a similar risk of fire.
Electrical Display Equipment and Tills
As mentioned previously, display equipment such as lighting rigs, illuminated signage and point of sale equipment should be included within a written and documented electrical inventory. Details such as the age of equipment, last inspection dates and whether equipment is stored with stocks and cables routed safely away from them should also be recorded.
Customer Escape Routes and Shop Layouts
As you walk around the premises with the assessor, note the areas where promotional stands or queuing barriers may be placed to form a narrow corridor, which when used with seasonal displays could reduce the width of a customer exit to a point where it fails to comply with requirements.
Written Records and Follow-Up Actions
A Fire Risk Assessment Northamptonshire retail premises assessment report will detail all hazards found, rank them in order of priority and detail who is responsible for actioning each point. The person detailed as responsible for a Fire Risk Assessment report point must complete action and update records as necessary.
For Fire Risk Assessment Northamptonshire, visit https://isefireproducts.co.uk/fire-risk-assessments/northamptonshire/.
Acting on the report quickly is as important as commissioning the report in the first place.