Fire Risk Assessments

A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for virtually all non-domestic premises under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. UK Building Compliance provides comprehensive fire risk assessments carried out by fully qualified surveyors, identifying fire hazards, evaluating risks, and providing actionable recommendations to protect building occupants and ensure your premises comply with fire safety legislation.

What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire risk assessment is a structured evaluation of a building's fire safety arrangements. It identifies potential fire hazards, assesses who might be at risk, evaluates existing fire safety measures, and recommends actions to reduce or eliminate fire risks. The assessment must be recorded in writing and kept up to date.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 replaced the previous Fire Precautions Act 1971 and placed responsibility for fire safety firmly on the "responsible person" — typically the building owner, employer, or person in control of the premises. This legislation requires that fire safety management is in place to reduce the risk of fires occurring, ensure fires can be effectively contained and controlled, and provide quick and easy routes of escape for building occupants.

A fire risk assessment is not a one-off exercise. It should be reviewed regularly and updated whenever there are significant changes to the building, its use, or its occupancy. Following events such as the Grenfell Tower tragedy, enforcement of fire safety legislation has become significantly more rigorous, making a thorough, professional assessment more important than ever.

Why Do You Need a Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for all non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including offices, shops, factories, warehouses, schools, care homes, hotels, and the common areas of residential blocks of flats. Failure to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is a criminal offence that can result in prosecution, substantial fines, and even imprisonment.

Beyond legal compliance, a fire risk assessment protects lives. It ensures that fire detection and warning systems are adequate, escape routes are clear and properly signed, fire-fighting equipment is appropriate and accessible, and staff are trained in fire safety procedures. These measures can mean the difference between a safe evacuation and a tragedy.

For landlords and building owners, a current fire risk assessment also demonstrates due diligence and can be important for insurance purposes. Many insurers require evidence of a compliant fire risk assessment as a condition of coverage. If your building is found to have inadequate fire safety measures following an incident, the consequences can be severe — both legally and financially.

Our Fire Risk Assessment Process

UK Building Compliance delivers thorough, professional fire risk assessments following a systematic methodology.

1. Hazard identification — Our fully qualified surveyors inspect the premises methodically, identifying all potential sources of ignition, fuel, and oxygen that could contribute to a fire starting or spreading.
2. People at risk — We identify who might be at risk in the event of a fire, including employees, visitors, contractors, and any particularly vulnerable occupants such as the elderly, disabled, or young children.
3. Existing measures evaluation — We assess the current fire safety measures in place, including detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting, fire-fighting equipment, escape routes, signage, and management procedures.
4. Risk reduction — We evaluate whether existing measures are adequate and identify actions needed to reduce risks as low as is reasonably practicable.
5. Report and action plan — We produce a comprehensive written report summarising all risks identified, rating their severity, and providing clear, prioritised recommendations for remedial action.

What's Included

• Full inspection of the premises by a qualified fire risk assessor
• Identification of fire hazards and ignition sources
• Assessment of escape routes and emergency exits
• Evaluation of fire detection, alarm, and warning systems
• Review of fire-fighting equipment provision and maintenance
• Assessment of emergency lighting and signage
• Review of fire safety management procedures and training
• Comprehensive written report with prioritised action plan
• Expert advice on remedial measures and ongoing fire safety management

Who Needs a Fire Risk Assessment?

• Commercial premises — All offices, shops, restaurants, pubs, warehouses, factories, and other non-domestic buildings require a fire risk assessment.
• Landlords and managing agents — The common areas of residential blocks of flats (corridors, stairwells, lobbies) require a fire risk assessment under the Fire Safety Order.
• Schools and educational buildings — All schools, colleges, and universities must have a current fire risk assessment.
• Care homes and healthcare premises — Premises where vulnerable people reside or receive care require particularly thorough fire risk assessments.
• Hotels and guest houses — All premises providing sleeping accommodation for guests must have a fire risk assessment.
• Places of worship and community buildings — Churches, halls, and community centres are all within scope of the Fire Safety Order.

Why Choose UK Building Compliance?

UK Building Compliance provides professional fire risk assessments carried out by fully qualified surveyors with extensive experience across all building types. Our comprehensive reports provide clear, actionable recommendations that help you manage fire safety effectively and demonstrate compliance with the Fire Safety Order.

As a full-service building compliance consultancy, we can combine your fire risk assessment with asbestos surveys, air tightness testing, SAP calculations, and other building compliance services — providing a coordinated approach to managing your building's regulatory obligations.

Based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, we provide nationwide coverage with competitive pricing. Call us on 01455 242297 for a free quote and expert advice on your fire safety obligations.