If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) and a Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan (FEEP), you’re certainly not the first!
Like many terms and concepts in fire protection, they can overlap somewhat, making it difficult to understand where one ends and the other begins.
But both concepts are really important for owners and managers of commercial buildings, and so below our experienced specialists have put together a short guide to what FRAs and FEEPs are, why you need them, and how they work together.
FRAs: a quick recap
First of all, let’s define terms.
The FRA is described by the Government as a process that ‘involves an inspection of the premises to identify potential fire hazards, to ensure adequate measures to stop fire starting and that adequate fire protection measures are in place to protect everyone in the building.’
If you own or are responsible for a non-domestic or commercial building, that building must have a recent, valid FRA that has been passed as compliant by an individual competent in fire safety.
The five main steps we follow at Commercial Fire Protection to create and deliver our FRAs are described in more detail in this recent article.
Other key FRA takeaways
It’s important to remember that, firstly, the FRA isn’t just a list of issues – it must also define actions to be taken to reduce any fire risks identified.
Secondly, not anyone can carry out an FRA – the law says that the person or persons concerned must be competent to do so, which is why so many FRAs are entrusted to our expert team.
Thirdly – and perhaps most critically of all – the FRA is a legal requirement for any commercial or non-domestic building, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005). Failure to produce, or comply with, an FRA can be punishable by large fines or even imprisonment.
So, what’s a FEEP – and what does it cover?
Clearly, ensuring that any risks to effective emergency evacuation are removed or minimised would seem to be a pretty essential part of any FRA, and this is where the FEEP comes in.
It’s not separate from the FRA, but rather a crucial component within it, which makes it just as much of a legal requirement as the FRA itself.
As a legal minimum, the FEEP helps ensure that, within your building, there are:
- Enough exits and escape routes for all occupants to reach safety
- Clearly signposted emergency exits that are as short and direct as possible
- Clear passageways to all escape routes
- Emergency lighting where required
- Safe meeting points for staff and visitors
- Fire training for all occupants to know and use escape routes
- Emergency fire door sets that open easily
As you can see, a FEEP is quite an involved procedure, and can also require work to be done to the building to ensure the necessary fixtures, fittings, and passive fire protection (PFP) are in place.
Your FRAs and FEEPs: how we can help
The interrelationship between FRAs and FEEPs means, essentially, that neither of them can be legally compliant without the other.
At the same time, that compliance can’t be established unless those who have carried out both the FRA and the FEEP – and any new or remedial work associated with them – are competent to do so.
At Commercial Fire Protection, our qualified, certified, and accredited team is not only competent in this legal sense, but also has decades of experience in delivering FRAs, FEEPs, and other fire safety compliance for our clients, so they can get on with their business.
Contact us today to discuss any aspect of your fire protection needs in your commercial building – whether it’s a new build or an existing property – and request your FREE Guide to Fire Protection Compliance here.
