A fire risk assessment is the foundation of workplace fire safety - it identifies what could cause a fire, who is at risk and what you must do about it. Every Irish workplace needs one. This guide explains what a fire risk assessment is and walks through how to approach it, step by step.
Your warden numbers, drills and procedures all flow from this single document.
Key takeaways
Short on time? Here are the essentials at a glance, with the detail in the sections that follow:
- What a fire risk assessment is - It is a structured review of your premises that identifies fire hazards, the people at risk, and the measures needed to remove or reduce that risk.
- The five practical steps
- How it links to wardens and drills - The assessment decides how many wardens you need, where extinguishers go, how you evacuate and how often you drill.
- Who should carry it out - A competent person should carry out the assessment - someone with enough training and knowledge.
- What a fire risk assessment actually is - A fire risk assessment is a structured look at your premises that answers three simple questions: what could start a fire here, wh...
- The five steps of a fire risk assessment - A widely used approach breaks the assessment into five clear steps, which keeps it practical even for a non-specialist.
- Who can carry one out - A competent person must carry out the assessment.
- When to review your assessment - A fire risk assessment is never truly finished.
What a fire risk assessment is
It is a structured review of your premises that identifies fire hazards, the people at risk, and the measures needed to remove or reduce that risk. It is a living document, reviewed regularly and whenever things change.
The five practical steps
- Identify fire hazards - sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen
- Identify people at risk - staff, visitors and vulnerable people
- Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks
- Record your findings and your emergency plan
- Review and update regularly
How it links to wardens and drills
The assessment decides how many wardens you need, where extinguishers go, how you evacuate and how often you drill. Trained wardens then put the plan into practice. This is why online warden training and a proper risk assessment go hand in hand.
Who should carry it out
A competent person should carry out the assessment - someone with enough training and knowledge. Larger or higher-risk premises may use a specialist. The employer remains responsible for acting on the findings.
What a fire risk assessment actually is
A fire risk assessment is a structured look at your premises that answers three simple questions: what could start a fire here, who could be harmed, and what are we doing about it. It is not a box-ticking exercise or a single document that sits in a drawer - it is a living judgement of your real risks and the basis for almost every other fire safety decision, including how many wardens you need.
The five steps of a fire risk assessment
A widely used approach breaks the assessment into five clear steps, which keeps it practical even for a non-specialist.
- Identify fire hazards - sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen
- Identify people at risk - staff, visitors and anyone needing help to evacuate
- Evaluate the risk and decide on control measures
- Record your findings and the actions you will take
- Review and update regularly, and after any significant change
Who can carry one out
A competent person must carry out the assessment. For a low-risk premises that can be a trained, knowledgeable member of staff; for complex or higher-risk buildings it often makes sense to bring in a specialist. Either way, the employer remains legally responsible for making sure the assessment is done, acted upon and kept current.
Fire warden training helps here too: wardens who understand how fire starts and spreads are far better placed to spot the hazards an assessment is meant to capture, and to keep risks low between formal reviews.
When to review your assessment
A fire risk assessment is never truly finished. Review it whenever something changes - a new layout, new equipment, more staff, a change of use - and after any fire or near miss. Even without changes, a periodic review keeps it honest and ensures your control measures still match the building as it is today.
Important: This online course supports awareness and understanding of workplace fire safety. Employers in Ireland may still need to provide workplace-specific training, supervision, fire drills and a fire risk assessment for their premises. Staff should always follow their employer's procedures, evacuation plans and internal fire safety rules.
Ready to get certified? You can complete the Fire Warden Certificate online entirely online and download your certificate as soon as you pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
Review it whenever the workplace changes significantly and after any incident, with a periodic review otherwise. There is no fixed interval, but a stale assessment offers little protection.
Does a small business need a fire risk assessment?
Yes. Every workplace needs one. For a small, low-risk business it can be straightforward, but it must still genuinely consider your hazards, your people and your control measures.
Can a fire warden carry out the assessment?
A trained, competent member of staff can assess a low-risk premises. More complex buildings may need a specialist. The employer stays responsible either way.
Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement in Ireland?
Yes. Employers must assess and manage fire risk in their workplace as part of their duties under Irish health and safety and fire services law.
How often should it be reviewed?
Regularly, and always after significant changes to the building, occupancy, processes or following an incident.
Can I do a fire risk assessment myself?
A competent person can carry out a straightforward assessment. Complex or higher-risk premises may need a specialist, but the employer stays responsible for acting on it.
Related Fire Warden guides
- Fire safety regulations in Ireland
- Fire Warden legal requirements Ireland
- Fire Warden Training for employers
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