The DSEAR Regulations (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regs) require that where there could be a risk of explosions of vapours, dusts, gases, powers, mists etc in a workplace that a competent person should carry out an assessment of the risk and steps taken to eliminate or reduce risk to a residual level. Part of this involves zoning the workplace depending on the liklihood and risk of an explosive atmosphere being present and providing appropriate safety provisions within higher risk zones- intrinsically safe electrical apparatus within a high risk zone for example. Competence to do this is more specifically defined than in other regulations.
The fire risk assessment takes the findings of the DSEAR assessment into account in determining the basic fire precautions for the fire risk assessment- overall level of risk, is the risk well controlled, travel distances, means of escape, fire fighting equipment.
So whilst there is some overlap between the two they are considered seperately. Fire assessment would normally find that the residual risk is high leading to short travel distances etc even if the DSEAR hazards are well controlled - due to the potential consequences of a fairly small failure.
Hope this makes some sense. Most of us fire consultants and enforcement officers are not deemed competent under the DSEAR regs to carry out the DSEAR assessment. Its a special skill - you can do a course at the HSE (BASEEFA division based at Buxton) I hope to be doing one myself next month. Whilst I did many years as an petroleum officer this was too specialist to give all round competence.
