UK Fire Consultants are fire safety specialists that deliver comprehensive protection for properties across the United Kingdom.
We work across a diverse range of sectors, including restaurants, large industrial warehouses, and healthcare facilities like dental practices.
Each sector presents its own unique challenges when it comes to conducting Fire Risk Assessments.
However, with our extensive industry experience, UK Fire Consultants is uniquely equipped to carry out thorough assessments and provide clear, easy-to-understand reports tailored to your needs.
If you own or run a dental practice and are looking to place your property in the hands of a trusted, knowledgeable risk assessor, then look no further than UK Fire Consultants.
Read the below guide to help you navigate some of the most commonly asked questions, and then get in touch with our team today.
Table of Contents
What is a Dental Practice Fire Risk Assessment?
A dental practice fire risk assessment is a thorough evaluation of your property, by someone competent in fire safety, to determine what risks exists on site. A detailed report will then be produced which details these risks as well as areas of good practice and points upon which improvement can be undertaken.
For a dental practice fire risk assessment, the competent person undertaking the assessment will consider the requirements of a dental practice, and factor in any risks that are unique to the type of premises.
A fire risk assessment should take place every year, or if there are any meaningful alterations to the building or the purpose of the building has changed.
Why is a Fire Risk Assessment Important?
Having an up-to-date fire risk assessment allows you to ensure the highest level of safety and protection for your clients as possible.
It greatly reduces the risk of a fire occurring at your dental practice, and it also ensures that you have all necessary measures in place should a fire emergency unfortunately occur.
A dental practice fire risk assessment also provides you with a detailed paper trail, allowing you to accurately ensure that the highest standards are maintained.
Is A Dental Practice Fire Risk Assessment a Legal Requirement?
Yes, a dental practice fire risk assessment is required by law.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 dictates that all non-domestic premises, which includes “all workplaces and commercial premises”, should have a regularly reviewed fire risk assessment. A fire risk assessment will cover a broad range of topics and potential risks, helping shape your entire fire safety process, but is just one compulsory measure required to ensure you are fire safe.
Who is Responsible for a Dental Practice Fire Risk Assessment
The duty of ensuring that your dental practice has an updated fire risk assessment belongs to the Responsible Person.
For a dental practice, this is the employer, building owner, landlord or anyone else with control of the premises, such as a facilities manager or building manager.
As the Responsible Person, you must ensure a fire risk assessment is carried out and reviewed, as well as ensuring that all required fire safety measures are put in place.
It is also your duty to inform staff of all risks identified and maintain a level of understanding around fire safety measures including fire evacuation routes.
What Will Be Assessed During My Dental Practice Fire Risk Assessment?
A fire risk assessment will consider all areas of your dental practice. Whilst the assessment will consider the individual characteristics of your site, every fire risk assessment is usually constructed of five key steps.
- Identify the hazards.
For a dental practice, this may include storage of any flammable liquids or combustible materials or the condition of any electrical equipment. - Identify who is at risk.
This will be dentists, reception staff and obviously all clients. This part of the assessment will look at the needs of vulnerable people – elderly, young children or those with disabilities – and assess how the dental practice is suited to dealing with those needs in the event of a fire. - Evaluate the building.
This section of the assessment will look at your dental practice in terms of number of floors, location of fire exits and other safety measures such as fire alarms, exit signs, emergency lighting and fire extinguishers. - Record, Plan and Train.
Once the assessment is completed, ensure that any recommended actions are put in place. Put together a clear plan of how to keep staff safe which will include fire drills and educating staff on what do in case of a fire. - Review.
Having a fire risk assessment completed is all well and good, but it should be constantly reviewed to ensure that all required works are completed, and the highest standards are maintained.
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