Fire risk assessments in council housing

A fire risk assessment (FRA) is the foundation for the fire safety measures required in a block of flats.

Qualified external consultants carry out FRAs on our behalf. They help minimise the chance of fire occurring in the areas under our control.

The FRA helps to ensure that:

  • people can use the building's common parts to safely evacuate the building in the event of a fire anywhere in the block
  • appropriate managerial arrangements, such as fire procedures and maintenance of fire safety measures, are in place

FRAs are reviewed regularly and when circumstances change.

FRAs do not address the safety of residents from fire within their own flat.

Summary FRA

The outcome of a FRA is an action plan. This is a list of any physical and managerial measures that are necessary to keep or reduce fire risk to an acceptable level. The list is usually in priority order.

Prioritisation is in line with risk, whilst acknowledging that major capital work (for example, our flat entrance fire door replacement programme) cannot be completed immediately. Recommended timescales must be realistic.

We produce summary FRAs in buildings we manage that have communal areas. This show residents the actions identified (and their prioritisation).

We carry out regular inspections of communal areas. However, if you see a damaged notice board you should report this to your housing officer.

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