If you are the responsible person in your business then you will need to record both your fire risk assessment and fire safety arrangement in full, regardless of the size or purpose of the business or premises.
For mobile caterers: This will mean completing the relevant fire risk assessment templates that NCASS has provided to demonstrate that a business has assessed the relevant fire hazards e.g. use of electricity and LPG etc. As well as making sure they have procedures in place for checking and monitoring relevant firefighting equipment and training staff on its use.
For fixed site premises: This will mean doing the same as above but in addition carrying out a fire risk assessment for the building and documenting this. This will require a business to consider their fire detection and evacuation procedures and ensure staff are trained in these matters. They should liaise with their building landlord who should also have done a fire risk assessment and request a copy.
Below is a list of matters to consider when carrying out a fire risk assessment for a fixed site premises:
To assist members, NCASS has developed an Online Fire Risk Assessment tool that is designed to identify generic controls that can eliminate or reduce certain fire hazards commonly found in the catering and events industry.
The online tool can be accessed in the My Units/Premises page within the Member Dashboard. Each Unit or Premises should have its own risk assessment. Instructions on how to create a risk assessment and adapt it are provided with the tool.
The Fire Risk Assessment tool covers:
We recently ran a webinar for members that covered some of the fundamentals of fire safety. Our Primary Authority Partners East Sussex Fire Service offered advice and guidance during the webinar.
View and Download the Webinar PresentationBelow are a range of questions that were asked during the webinar.
Event organisers often prescribe that a dry powder fire extinguisher be in place in mobile catering units. Is this requirement mandatory? There are other types of extinguishers which are more suitable instead and can have a clear use with cooking equipment etc. If a dry powder extinguisher is discharged within a mobile catering unit– that’s it, no more trading for days. To clean and remove the powder residue would take days. Plus, the health implications of inhaling the powder residue within an enclosed space.
This provision of firefighting equipment may be a requirement of the event organiser, insurance provider or other interested parties. There is no mandatory requirement that you must use a specific type of fire extinguisher in a particular circumstance. Fire safety requirements are no longer prescriptive, it is determined on a risk assessment basis. The location and type of an extinguisher will be determined through risk assessment and application of the appropriate guidance. If the wrong type of agent is used on a particular type of fire it can make it worse. You can, within your risk assessment, justify what fire extinguisher you wish to provide based upon the risk that you present.
Where is the best place to go to have fire extinguishers serviced?
We cannot recommend anyone specifically. There is not a list of approved contractors or suppliers for that service recognised by fire services. There are numerous companies out there. We advised checking out the qualifications and credentials of a service provider. The industry standard expectation is that the organisation and staff are to be registered with the BAFE SP101 Competency of Portable Fire Extinguisher Organisations and Technicians. This information should be available on request.
Note: There are also fire safety service providers who will install and service fire detection systems, emergency lighting systems or support with fire safety documentation and fire risk assessments. Our advice is to always check their qualifications and accreditation as applicable.
How often should fire extinguishers be serviced?
Fire extinguishers should be serviced annually.
Having arranged a fire risk assessment for my new business who will now come and check this and confirm that we have gone through the process correctly?
It is a legal requirement to carry out a fire risk assessment. No one from the fire service will routinely check this has been undertaken unless the business is selected for a fire safety audit as part of the inspection program or if there is a fire incident at the premises.
It may be checked by the Environmental Health service at the local authority. As part of a routine food safety inspection the Environmental Health Officer (EHO) may check health and safety arrangements and offer the business some general advice and guidance on fire safety matters. If whilst inspecting the premises they identify fire safety hazards and have concerns, then they may refer the business to the fire service to audit or carry out follow up investigations utilising their enforcement powers under the Fire Safety Order.
The business may also be asked to demonstrate that a fire risk assessment has been completed by the licensing authority as part of applying for a premises licence to sell alcohol etc.
If a fire extinguisher was accidentally discharged (e.g. the pin was accidentally released) would the extinguisher now be invalid and need to be replaced or can it still be used and taken to an event. Could it be tested?
Get the fire extinguisher tested by a competent fire service provider. Make sure the fire extinguisher is in serviceable condition to be used.
What does the K letter stand for on fire extinguishers?
These are Class K fire extinguishers for use with class K fires (those involving animal fats or cooking oils). They are the only type of extinguisher that can be used on fires involving animal fats or cooking oils. This is because many other types of extinguishers will either be ineffective or could even make this type of fire worse.
Featured Training