Fire Risk Rating: Probability and Impact Explained
Fire risk assessments do more than just identify hazards, they also rate risks so you can determine appropriate actions and resources. Knowledge about fire risk ratings will enable the business owners to understand how safe their building is and allow responsible persons to decide what action should be taken. Here’s what the ratings mean.
The Two-Part Risk System
These rates combine the likelihood (how likely a fire is) and consequence (the severity of an outcome). Both assessors score each portion in turn before combining the results to give an overall risk rating.
This method provides appropriate focus to both high-likelihood but minor risks and those which have low likelihood but are catastrophic should they occur. For Fire Risk Assessment Bristol, contact https://keloscape.co.uk/areas-we-cover/fire-safety-consultancy-bristol
Likelihood Ratings Explained
Level Low: Fire will not occur in normal use. Controls are done, ignition sources are few and any material having risk of combustion is managed well.
Medium: Fire is possible but not likely. Ignition sources are available, combustible material is present but controls are in place.
High: It is likely that a fire will ignite and has occurred earlier also. There are significant ignition sources, substantial combustible materials present and/or controls that are insufficient.
Consequence Ratings Explained
Minimal Impact: Some damage to poorly constructed buildings/structures. People can survive easily with only small fires which have minimal impact.
Heavy damage: Possible serious injury to life, likely long term damage. Fire could extend beyond the room of origin, necessitating suppression by fire personnel.
Severe: (multiple serious injuries, death likely) Probably extensive property damage or total loss. Difficult to evacuate or structures collapse.
Combined Risk Ratings
The following is the language that assessors will use to combine likelihood and consequence into overall ratings;
Minimal Risk: probability low, chance minor. Nothing needs to be done at this time other than regular maintenance.
Acceptable Risk: injury usually occurs rarely but is of medium severity, quite common and corresponds to a slight harm. Monitor and maintain existing controls. Consider improvements when practical.
Hazard: Medium probability and medium effect, or high likelihood and gentle impact. Make necessary changes in specific timelines – 3-6 months typically.
High Hazard: Moderate probability with moderate harm, or high probability of substantial damage. Urgent action required. Address within weeks, not months.
Intolerable Risk: Extreme likelihood with high harm. Immediate action is essential. Close activities or areas down until risks are lower. Rare but demands urgent intervention.
What it means for your business
Risk ratings guide action priorities. A simple rule of thumb can be applied: intolerable risks, substantial and immediate attention is required. Sensible timeframes for planning and delivery of moderate risk material. Acceptable risks will require monitoring but do not demand immediate response in terms of expenditure.
Even “acceptable” risks will still require periodic review. The fact is, fire safety isn’t a static point – changes on your premises can make previously acceptable risks now unacceptable.
Understanding risk ratings enables you to target fire safety improvements where they have most impact and protect people and property costs while managing your compliance budgets in a sensible manner.
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