Identify the fire hazards

A fire risk assessment helps you identify all the fire hazards and risks in your premises. Here is the first of five steps to carrying out a fire risk assessment in the workplace.

Step 1 of 5 - Identifying the fire hazards

For fire to occur there must be a source of ignition, fuel and oxygen. If all three are present and in close proximity, then the fire risk could increase as a result.

In the average premises fire hazards will fall into the first two categories, while the oxygen will be present in the air in the surrounding space. Occasionally oxygen can be found in chemical form (oxidising agents) or as a gas in cylinders or piped systems.

Potential sources of ignition could include:

• Naked flames: smokers materials, matches, pilot lights, gas/oil heaters, gas welding, cookers etc.
• Hot surfaces: heaters, engines, boilers, machinery, lighting (for example, halogen lamps), electrical equipment etc. 
• Hot work: welding, grinding, flame cutting. 
• Friction: drive belts, worn bearings etc. 
• Sparks: static electricity, metal impact, grinding, electrical contacts/switches etc. 
• Arson, for example, deliberate ignition.

Potential sources of fuel: anything that burns is a potential fuel, examples include:

• Solids: textiles, wood, paper, card, plastics, rubber, PU foam, furniture, fixtures/fittings, packaging, waste materials etc.
• Liquids: solvents (petrol, white spirit, methylated spirits, paraffin, thinners etc), paints, varnish, adhesives etc.
• Gases: LPG, acetylene.

Your risk assessment should list the potential sources of ignition and fuels that are present in your premises.

Read step 2 of the assessment