What does the term 'risk of fire' refer to?

The term 'risk of fire' specifically refers to the potential for fire incidents occurring in a given environment. This encompasses various factors that might contribute to the likelihood of a fire happening, such as the presence of flammable materials, environmental conditions, and human activities that might cause ignition. Understanding the risk of fire is crucial for implementing effective fire prevention strategies and reducing the likelihood of fire occurrences.

While financial loss, health hazards, and natural disasters may be associated with the aftermath of a fire, they do not directly define the risk of fire itself. Risk assessment focuses on identifying and mitigating factors that could lead to fire incidents, which is why the definition centers around the potential for those incidents rather than their consequences.