PAS 79:2012

This Publicly Available Specification gives guidance and corresponding examples of documentation for undertaking, and recording the significant findings of, fire risk assessments in premises and parts of premises for which fire risk assessments are required by legislation. It is not applicable in the case of a single-family private dwelling, or necessarily applicable to premises during the construction phase¹ but is applicable to vacant premises, for which a fire risk assessment is required. The methodology is intended to provide a structured approach to fire risk assessment for people with knowledge of the principles of fire safety; it is not intended as 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 premises occupants 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.

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), will require consideration of additional factors associated with these hazards and their means of control, and are beyond the scope of this document. However, in all such cases, this PAS might form the basis for development of an appropriate fire risk assessment process and the documentation of the significant findings of the process.