PAS 79-1:2020 Fire Risk Assessment - Premises Other Than Housing

Standard Number: PAS 79-1:2020

Pages: 144

Released: 31st December 2020

ISBN: 978 0 539 06259 5

Status: Standard

Overview

Introducing the PAS 79-1:2020 Fire Risk Assessment - a comprehensive code of practice designed specifically for premises other than housing. This essential standard provides a structured and systematic approach to fire risk assessment, ensuring that your premises are evaluated with the utmost precision and care. Whether you are responsible for a commercial building, industrial site, or any other non-residential property, this document is an invaluable resource for maintaining safety and compliance.

Why Choose PAS 79-1:2020?

Fire safety is a critical aspect of managing any premises, and the PAS 79-1:2020 standard is crafted to help you navigate the complexities of fire risk assessment with confidence. Here are some compelling reasons to choose this standard:

• Comprehensive Guidance: With 144 pages of detailed instructions and guidelines, this standard covers every aspect of fire risk assessment, from identifying potential hazards to implementing effective control measures.
• Up-to-Date Information: Released on 31st December 2020, this standard reflects the latest advancements and best practices in fire safety, ensuring that your assessments are aligned with current regulations and technologies.
• Expertly Crafted: Developed by leading experts in fire safety, the PAS 79-1:2020 standard is a trusted resource that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application.
• Versatile Application: Suitable for a wide range of non-residential premises, this standard is adaptable to various environments, making it a versatile tool for fire risk assessors.

Key Features

The PAS 79-1:2020 standard is packed with features that make it an indispensable tool for fire risk assessment:

• Structured Approach: The standard provides a clear and logical framework for conducting fire risk assessments, ensuring that all relevant factors are considered and documented.
• Risk Evaluation: Detailed guidance on evaluating fire risks, including the identification of potential ignition sources, combustible materials, and vulnerable areas.
• Control Measures: Recommendations for implementing effective control measures to mitigate identified risks and enhance fire safety.
• Documentation: Comprehensive instructions on documenting the findings of the fire risk assessment, ensuring that all information is recorded accurately and systematically.
• Review and Update: Guidance on reviewing and updating fire risk assessments to ensure ongoing compliance and safety.

Who Can Benefit?

The PAS 79-1:2020 standard is an invaluable resource for a wide range of professionals and organizations, including:

• Fire Risk Assessors: Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools needed to conduct thorough and effective fire risk assessments.
• Building Managers: Ensure that your premises are compliant with fire safety regulations and that all potential risks are identified and managed.
• Safety Officers: Enhance your understanding of fire risk assessment and improve the safety protocols within your organization.
• Facility Managers: Maintain a safe environment for occupants by implementing the best practices outlined in this standard.

Conclusion

In today's world, ensuring the safety of your premises is more important than ever. The PAS 79-1:2020 Fire Risk Assessment standard provides the comprehensive guidance and expert insights needed to conduct effective fire risk assessments for non-residential properties. With its structured approach, up-to-date information, and practical recommendations, this standard is an essential tool for anyone responsible for fire safety. Invest in the safety of your premises and the well-being of its occupants by incorporating the PAS 79-1:2020 standard into your fire risk management strategy.

PAS 79-1:2020

• 13.220.20 Fire protection

This part of PAS 79 gives recommendations and corresponding examples of documentation for undertaking, and recording the significant findings of, fire risk assessments in non-domestic premises and parts of non-domestic premises for which fire risk assessments are required by legislation.

In the case of mixed-use premises, comprising, for example, shops or offices on lower levels of the building, with flats on the uppermost levels, PAS 79-2 is applicable in relation to the flats.

NOTE 1 In such mixed-use premises there might be a need for fire protection systems that would not normally be applicable in commercial premises, such as evacuation alert systems for use by the fire and rescue service (see PAS 79-2:2020, 3.22).

This part of PAS 79 is applicable to peer-to-peer rented accommodation to the extent that such accommodation falls within the scope of the relevant fire safety legislation (see 3.77) and to premises used solely for short-term letting of flats (with letting periods ranging from one day to six months).

This part of PAS 79 is not applicable to premises during the construction phase²⁾, but is applicable to vacant premises, for which a fire risk assessment is required. It is also applicable to residential care homes.

This part of PAS 79 is not applicable to:

1. a single-family private dwelling;

2. a shared house or a house in multiple occupation;

3. the common parts of blocks of flats or maisonettes, sheltered housing and extra care housing; and

4. supported housing.

NOTE 2 Recommendations for fire risk assessments for all forms of the housing described above, other than a single-family dwelling, or a shared house in England and Wales, are given in PAS 79-2.

NOTE 3 Attention is drawn to Health Technical Memorandum 05-03 Part K [36], which provides guidance, for complex healthcare premises in England and Wales, on fire risk assessments in areas to which patients have access. In Scotland, equivalent guidance is given in Scottish Health Technical Memorandum 86 [37].

NOTE 4 For residential care premises in Northern Ireland, attention is drawn to Health Technical Memorandum 84 [38], which provides guidance on fire risk assessment in these premises.

The methodology in this PAS provides a structured approach to fire risk assessment for people with knowledge of the principles of fire safety; it is not a guide to fire safety.

The recommended approach to carrying out fire risk assessments is intended to determine the risk-proportionate fire precautions required to protect occupants of non-domestic premises, including employees, contractors, visitors and members of the public, and to protect people in the immediate vicinity of the premises. The fire risk assessment is not necessarily sufficient to address the safety of firefighters in the event of a fire on the premises, as firefighters are not “relevant persons” within the meaning of the relevant fire safety legislation.

The recommended methodology is not intended to address protection of property (the premises and their contents) or the environment, or to address protection of a business, process or activity against interruption. Premises with special hazards, with the potential for high risk to life (e.g. chemical or nuclear hazards), require consideration of additional factors associated with these hazards and their means of control, and are beyond the scope of this PAS. However, in all such cases, this part of PAS 79 might form the basis for development of an appropriate fire risk assessment process and the documentation of the significant findings of the process.