Examples of Fire Risk Assessment
Qualitative and Semi-Quantitative
Methods
Industrial Case Studies
BY
[Link]
Definition:
A qualitative fire risk assessment is a subjective method
that relies on descriptive judgments about the likelihood
and consequences of fire events.
It does not use numerical values but rather categories
like low, medium, or high to estimate risks.
Key Characteristics:
•Based on expert opinion, experience, and historical
data.
•Describes risks in narrative form or category scales.
•Suitable for low-complexity systems or early design
phases.
Advantages:
•Simple and quick to perform.
•No complex data or calculations required.
•Useful when data is limited.
Limitations:
•Lacks precision and reproducibility.
•Highly subjective; can vary between assessors.
•May not suffice for high-hazard environments.
Qualitative Fire Risk Assessment Example
Industry: Textile Manufacturing Plant
Scenario:
- Lint accumulation near dryers and motors
- Potential ignition from overheated equipment
Assessment:
- Likelihood: Moderate
- Consequence: Major
- Risk Level: High
Actions:
Increased housekeeping frequency
Installed spark arrestors
Fire drills and warning signage
Definition:
A semi-quantitative fire risk assessment uses
scoring systems or ranking methods to assign
numerical values to the likelihood and
consequences of fire. It bridges the gap between
qualitative and full quantitative assessments.
Key Characteristics:
•Uses risk matrices or risk scoring models.
•Assigns numerical ratings to parameters (e.g., 1
to 5).
•Helps prioritize risks more systematically than
qualitative methods.
Advantages:
•More consistent and transparent than
qualitative methods.
•Allows for comparative analysis of risks.
•Good for moderate complexity systems where
full data isn't available.
Limitations:
•Still involves assumptions and expert judgment.
•Not as precise as full quantitative models.
•Risk scores may be misleading if not interpreted
correctly.
Semi-Quantitative Fire Risk Assessment
Example
Industry: Chemical Manufacturing Plant
Scenario:
- Fire risk in the solvent storage area
Assessment Matrix:
• Likelihood: 4 (Daily handling)
• Consequence: 5 (High energy fire)
• Detection/Response Score: 2
Risk Score = 4 × 5 × (6 - 2) = 80
Risk Level: Very High
Actions:
• Installed automatic foam suppression
• Upgraded fire-resistant cabinets
• Trained personnel in solvent handling
Purpose:
• To invert the detection score (1 = best, 5 = worst) into a factor where
higher value = worse detection
• Ensures the adjusted score remains on the same scale (1–5)
Rule:
- If Detec on Score range = 1 to N → Use (N + 1 - Score)
- For range 1–5 → Use (6 - Score)
Detection Score Meaning (6 - Detection Score)
1 Excellent 5
2 Good 4
3 Moderate 3
4 Poor 2
5 Very Poor/None 1
Ensures consistent and logical risk adjustment based on detection
effectiveness.
Consequenc
Fire Hazard Likelihood Risk Level
e
Major injury
Flammable
&
solvent Possible High
equipment
storage
loss
Minor
Paper waste
Unlikely property Low
accumulation
damage
Summary: Qualitative vs Semi-
Quantitative
Example
Type Key Output Actions Taken
Scenario
Housekeeping,
Lint fire risk in High (narrative
Qualitative signage, minor
textile plant judgment)
controls
Suppression
Very High
Semi- Solvent fire in system, PPE,
(numerical
Quantitative chemical plant procedural
score = 80)
updates
Example (Risk Score = Likelihood × Consequence):
Fire Likelihood Consequence Risk
Risk Level
Scenario (1–5) (1–5) Score
Electrical
short- 4 5 20 Very High
circuit
Office
paper bin 2 2 4 Low
fire
Feature Qualitative Semi-Quantitative
Data requirement Low Moderate
Descriptive Numerical (Risk
Output format
(Low/Med/High) scores or ranks)
Accuracy Low Moderate
Prioritizing
Early-stage,
Use case moderate-risk
simple systems
scenarios
Complexity Low Moderate
Applications in Fire Risk Management:
•Qualitative: General workplace inspections, fire
safety audits.
•Semi-Quantitative: Prioritizing fire safety
investments, ranking fire hazards in a facility, and
evaluating emergency response needs.
Fire Risk Assessment Fire Risk Management Combined Action
Identify hazard (e.g., Eliminate or substitute Switch to non-
flammable material) hazard combustible material
Route mapping for
Identify people at risk Develop evacuation plan
vulnerable groups
Use fire-resistant
Apply mitigation
Evaluate risk levels materials, detection
hierarchy
systems
Document and prioritize Invest in high-risk areas
Allocate resources
risks first
Continuous Learn from incidents,
Periodic reassessment
improvement update systems
[Link] Risk Assessment (FRA): The
Foundation
This is the systematic process of identifying fire
hazards, evaluating risks, and understanding the
potential consequences.
Steps in Fire Risk Assessment:
•Identify fire hazards (sources of ignition, fuel, oxygen)
•Identify people at risk (location, mobility, exposure)
•Evaluate risks (likelihood × consequence)
•Document findings (legal and operational requirement)
•Review and revise periodically
2. Fire Risk Management (FRM):
The Application
This is the ongoing process of mitigating, monitoring,
and responding to fire risks identified during
assessment.
Elements of Fire Risk Management:
•Preventive measures (good housekeeping,
maintenance)
•Protective systems (sprinklers, alarms, fire barriers)
•Emergency planning (evacuation plans, drills)
•Training and awareness (staff preparedness)
•Monitoring and review (safety audits, incident reports)
Fire Protection Measures Act as Fire
Barriers
Fire protection measures act as fire barriers
by restricting the spread of fire, heat, smoke,
and toxic gases, thus containing a fire to its
area of origin and allowing time for safe
evacuation and emergency response. These
measures can be passive or active and are
critical in fire risk management and fire
scenario planning.
Fire Protection
Type Barrier Function
Measure
Compartmentaliza
Fire-rated walls/floors Passive
tion
Seals openings
Fire doors/dampers Passive
during fire
Virtual fire/smoke
Smoke Passive/
compartmentaliza
curtains/shutters Active
tion
Prevents collapse,
Fire-resistant
Passive contains fire
structural elements
structurally
Fire Protection
Type Barrier Function
Measure
Suppress fire,
Sprinkler systems Active
reduce spread
Quench fire
Fire suppression
Active locally, isolate
(gas/foam)
hazards
Prevent smoke
migration,
Smoke control systems Active
maintain safe
evacuation paths
Key Benefits of Integration:
•Holistic safety strategy: Risks are not just
identified but managed proactively.
•Improved resource use: Risk-based
prioritization of investments.
•Legal compliance: Covers assessment and
management requirements in regulations.
• Resilience building: Enhances an
organization's capacity to prevent and
respond to fire events.
Fire Protection Measures as Fire
Barriers
Case Study: Oil & Gas Industry
Example
Scenario Overview
• Industry: Oil & Gas (Onshore Processing Plant)
• Key Areas:
- Crude Oil Storage Tanks
- Gas Compression Units
- Control Room
- Utilities and Flare System
• Hazards: Hydrocarbon release, vapor cloud
explosion, fire
Fire Protection Measures as Fire
Barriers
1. Bund Walls Around Storage Tanks
- Concrete fire-resistant walls
- Contain flammable liquid spills and fire
2. Deluge Water Spray Systems
- Cools exposed tanks and equipment
- Reduces risk of structural collapse
3. Fireproofing of Steel Structures
- Intumescent coating on process pipe racks
- Maintains structural integrity during fire
Additional Fire Barrier Measures
4. Blast-Resistant Control Rooms
- Located away from high-risk zones
- Built to withstand overpressure and fire exposure
5. Fire and Gas Detection System
- Automatic shutdown and isolation
- Triggers water mist or CO2 systems
6. Flame Arrestors and Inerting
- Prevent flame propagation in pipelines
- Nitrogen blanketing of tanks
Outcome and Benefits
• Fire is confined within the bunded tank area
• Control room remains operational and
protected.
• The explosion risk to critical systems has been
reduced
• Emergency response has sufficient time
• Regulatory compliance and asset protection
Thanks for your kind attention
Open for questions…..