Enter into the world of fire safety and security, where you’ll discover a plethora of terms. The essence of those terms is to create a better understanding of the intricacies of fire risk assessment and prevention. But most often, those terms create confusion.
Two parts of the fire assessment vocabulary that have been confused with one another are fire hazard and fire risk. These phrases are often used interchangeably, making it harder to know the true difference between the two.
But as you guessed, they’re completely different, so it’s good for you to understand what that difference is.
What Is Fire Risk?
Fire risk can be considered the umbrella of a fire hazard because it entails the presence of one. Fire risk is the estimation of the likelihood of harm caused by a fire hazard. It involves the assessment of potential harm to individuals and properties.
So you could say that fire risk is the probability of individuals and properties getting harmed by fire. It’s also the basis for fire risk assessments Croydon citizens need to avoid fire hazards and dangers.
To better understand this concept, here’s an example:
If a landlord goes around inspecting his flat and discovers that there are no smoke detectors or fire extinguishers in the building, that’s a firerisk. If factory workers fail to store all combustible materials properly, that’s also a firerisk.
So it’s not just about the presence of a fire hazard; it’s also the lack of preventive measures against a fire outbreak. Another instance is the lack of fire safety rules and regulations in work and social environments.
What is a Fire Risk?
On the other hand, a fire hazard refers to anything that can cause a fire. It includes any object that can give rise to fire if not managed or stored properly. For instance, if you have a gadget with a swollen battery, that’s a fire hazard.
Fire hazards give rise to fire risks. When those objects are not regulated, they cause harm and could endanger lives and properties.
Understanding the Difference and Relationship Between These Two Concepts
At this point, it should be pretty clear what each term entails and what the underlying difference is. Moreover, both concepts are inseparable, and only the elimination of a fire hazard can effectively prevent the risk of a fire breaking out.
Another thing to note is that fire hazards give rise to different levels of firerisk. That’s where the environment comes in. For example, if a company employs the use of combustible equipment, but the personnel lacks proper fire safety regulations, the risk of harm in the event of a fire is high.
However, in the case of a factory with well-trained staff, standard fire exits, and fire-mitigating tools like extinguishers, such an environment has less risk of harm from fire.
Bottom Line
At the end of the day, fire hazard and firerisk are two vital aspects that improve your understanding of fire safety. Learning about both will give you an edge in your fire prevention procedures.