Fire Risk Assessment

Fire Load – The basis of any Fire Safety Risk Assessment

The fire load of a facility, industrial entity, process plant or building, is the heat energy that could be released per square meter of the floor area of a compartment, by the complete combustion of the contents of the unit area and any combustible parts of the unit.

It is a way of establishing the potential severity of a hypothetical future fire.

The heat output per unit floor area, often in kJ/m2, calculated from the calorific value of the materials present.

The fire load per unit area is defined as Fire Load Density

Fire load or Fire loading is used for evaluating industrial safety risks.

qc =∑ mvHv / Af

Where qc = fire load (MJ/m2)

Af= Floor area (m2)

mv= Total mass of the combustible material (Kg)and

Hv= Calorific value of the combustible material (MJ /Kg)

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In order to characterize fires, fire safety risk analysis, information on fire load is very important.

Fire load survey or Calculation of Fire Load is the direct way to collect associated information which can provide a basis for the design fire.

Fire load calculation is considered as the quantitative base for fire safety risk assessment.

A fire safety risk assessment is a process involving the systematic evaluation of the factors that determine the hazard from fire, the likelihood that there will be a fire and the consequences if one were to occur.

Both qualitative and quantitative methods of risk assessment are available and used based on the suitability.

Reference Standard: NFPA 551, Guide for the Evaluation of Fire Risk Assessments

As a leading independent Fire Risk Assessment Consultant, we help organisations to manage their fire safety risks.

It also helps organisations in their Business Continuity Plan BCP

Five steps to follow when you conduct a Fire Risk Assessment

Step I – Identify fire hazards. Have you identified all potential sources of fuel, ignition and oxygen?

Step II – Identify the individuals & groups of people who are exposed to fire risk.

Step III – Evaluate the risk and set controls. Your fire safety measures or controls should be in line with the risk.

Step IV – Document your findings for present and future reference and train all relevant stakeholders

Step V – Review and revise as and when changes occur and at regular interval

Do you need more information on Fire Risk Assessment or Fire Safety Risk Assessment? Call us for a meeting with Fire Risk Assessment Consultant.

Fire Risk Management System and its elements

A fire safety risk management system should include the following elements as minimum:

•  fire risk assessment document
•  an emergency fire evacuation plan with details of emergency routes and exits
• fire detection and warning systems
•  fire fighting equipment
•  safe storage of dangerous substances
•  the needs of vulnerable segment, like the elderly, children or differently able people
•  hazard communication – system of making people aware and informed on the fire hazards associated to their activities
•  different levels of fire safety training for all relevant stakeholders
•  effective monitoring and measurement of the fire risk management system performances
•  Integration compatibility with the Business Continuity Plan BCP

As a leading independent Fire Risk Assessment Consultant, we help organisations to manage their fire safety risks.