Independent Fire Risk Assessment

Independent Fire Risk Assessment is a form of compliance assessment carried out by a third party (independent of the designer and the building owner). For the assessment of compliance, an expert organization specializing in fire risk assessment is involved.

The procedure for conducting an independent fire risk assessment is defined by the Russian Government Decree No. 1325 of August 31, 2020, "On Approval of the Rules for Assessing the Compliance of Protection Objects (Products) with Established Fire Safety Requirements through Independent Fire Risk Assessment" (hereinafter referred to as the Assessment Rules).

The fundamental feature of this approach is that the independent fire risk assessment is conducted by an expert in fire risk assessment based on an agreement between the owner or other lawful possessor of the protection object (product) (hereinafter referred to as the owner) and the legal entity engaged in fire risk assessment activities (hereinafter referred to as the agreement).

The results of the independent fire risk assessment are presented in the form of a conclusion about the independent fire risk assessment (hereinafter referred to as the conclusion), which is sent (delivered) to the owner on paper or as an electronic document.

The conclusion of the independent fire risk assessment includes:

• The results of the independent fire risk assessment, including the results of the performed work;
• A conclusion about the compliance with fire safety requirements and adherence to fire safety regulations, and in case of non-compliance, recommendations for measures to ensure compliance with conditions under which the protection object (product) will meet fire safety requirements, and/or preparation of a list of fire safety requirements to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations at the protection object (product).

The conclusion is signed by the expert(s) who performed the independent fire risk assessment, approved by the head of the expert organization, and stamped by the expert organization (if available).

Within 5 business days after approval of the conclusion, the expert organization sends a copy of the conclusion to the structural unit of the territorial body of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM), responsible for the organization and implementation of state fire supervision, or to the territorial department (division, inspection) of this structural unit, or to the structural unit of a special or military division of the federal fire service, responsible for fire prevention and firefighting in closed administrative-territorial entities, particularly important, and regulated organizations.

Upon registration of the copy of the conclusion, a second copy of the conclusion with a registration number is sent to the applicant.

In case the independent fire risk assessment (IFRA) conclusion is received before the approval of the annual plan in the fire supervision authority, its compliance with the Assessment Rules is checked.

If discrepancies are found between the IFRA conclusion and the established Assessment Rules, the conclusion is sent for revision with specific shortcomings noted. Upon the repeated submission of the IFRA conclusion, only the correction of previously indicated shortcomings is checked.

The planning of inspections by the state fire supervision authority (GPN EMERCOM) is based on the classification of protection objects and/or territories (land plots) into specific risk categories, including information about the conducted independent fire risk assessment at protection objects, performed by an accredited organization in compliance with the Assessment Rules, with a conclusion on meeting the fire safety requirements.

If the IFRA conclusion is made before the approval of the annual inspection plan for such protection objects, the inspections are scheduled:

• After the term established for the protection object based on its assigned risk category;
• After one year or more from the submission date of the IFRA conclusion for protection objects used (operated) by organizations carrying out specific activities, the list of which is defined by the Russian Government Decree No. 944 of November 23, 2009, "On Approval of the List of Activities in the Fields of Healthcare, Education, Social Sphere, Production, Use, and Circulation of Precious Metals and Gems, Performed by Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs, for Which Scheduled Inspections Are Conducted at Set Intervals."

The GPN authority is not authorized to evaluate the validity of the IFRA conclusion at the protection object.

Advantages of contacting us for independent fire risk assessments:

• We have extensive experience in independent fire risk assessments.
• Our specialists have unique knowledge and skills in conducting fire risk assessments for all types of objects.
• We understand the primary risks and needs of industrial and public enterprises.
• We know the real market rates and will ensure you do not overpay.
• We work efficiently without asking unnecessary questions or requesting excessive documents.
• Most importantly, we approach our work responsibly and competently, ensuring optimal solutions.

Contact us and see for yourself in practice!