How to conduct a fire risk assessment for your studio

The Bottom Line

To meet your legal obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, you must carry out a systematic evaluation of your studio to identify fire hazards, determine who is at risk, and implement measures to reduce those risks. If you have five or more employees, you are legally required to keep a written record of your assessment, though it is best practice for all studio owners to document their findings regardless of staff numbers.

Step 1: Identify the Fire Hazards

Walk through your studio and identify potential sources of fire. You should look for three specific elements:

• Sources of ignition: Anything that could start a fire, such as heaters, lighting, electrical equipment (like speakers or chargers), or candles.
• Sources of fuel: Anything that can burn, including yoga mats, foam rollers, curtains, upholstery, and cleaning supplies.
• Sources of oxygen: Generally the air around us, but also consider oxygen cylinders if used for medical purposes or high-flow ventilation systems.

Step 2: Identify People at Risk

Think about everyone who enters your space. Some people may be at higher risk than others, including:

• Clients and students attending classes.
• Employees or freelance instructors.
• Vulnerable individuals, such as those with disabilities who may need assistance during an evacuation.
• Unaccompanied visitors or maintenance workers.

Step 3: Evaluate, Remove, and Reduce the Risks

Once you know the hazards, you must evaluate the likelihood of a fire starting and the risk it poses to people. Take action to make the studio safer:

• Remove the hazard: For example, replace old, flickering lights or switch to flameless LED candles.
• Reduce the risk: Keep flammable equipment (like mats and blocks) away from heaters or electrical outlets.
• Install safety measures: Ensure you have appropriate fire-fighting equipment (like a foam or water extinguisher), a way to detect fire (smoke alarms), and clear emergency lighting.

Step 4: Record, Plan, and Train

Document your findings and create a clear emergency plan. Your plan should detail the evacuation route and where everyone should meet outside (the assembly point). Important: You must ensure all staff and regular visitors are trained on what to do if the alarm sounds. Make sure fire exits are never blocked by gym bags or equipment.

Step 5: Review Your Assessment Regularly

A fire risk assessment is not a one-off task. You should review it every year or whenever there is a significant change to your studio, such as:

• Renovating the layout of the room.
• Buying a large amount of new equipment.
• Changing the type of classes you offer (e.g., adding hot yoga heaters).

Pro Tip: You do not necessarily need a professional consultant to do this if your studio is small and simple, but you must feel confident in your ability to identify risks. If your premises are complex or multi-storey, consider hiring a BAFE-registered fire risk assessor to ensure total compliance.