Question 1

Do I Legally Need a Fire Risk Assessment?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, yes. If you are the Responsible Person for a non-domestic premises in England or Wales, you have a legal duty to ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and kept up to date under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

This legal requirement applies to a wide range of premises, including:
Offices
Shops and retail premises
Restaurants and cafés
Industrial units and warehouses
Schools and educational buildings
Churches and places of worship
Hotels and guest accommodation
Community halls and other public buildings
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
The communal areas of residential buildings and blocks of flats

For multi-occupied residential buildings, the Fire Safety Act 2021 clarified that fire risk assessments must also consider the building's structure, external walls (including cladding, balconies and attachments where applicable), and flat entrance doors that open onto the common parts. These areas fall within the scope of the Fire Safety Order and should be included within a suitable and sufficient assessment where applicable. (GOV.UK)

A fire risk assessment identifies potential fire hazards, evaluates the risks to occupants and recommends appropriate measures to help protect life and achieve compliance with current fire safety legislation.

The assessment should be reviewed regularly, particularly following significant alterations, changes in occupancy or use, changes to fire safety arrangements, or after a fire or near miss.

If you're unsure whether your premises require a fire risk assessment, 225 Fire Solutions is happy to provide free advice and help you understand your legal responsibilities.

Question 2

Who Can Carry Out a Fire Risk Assessment?

Accepted Answer

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a fire risk assessment must be carried out by a competent person.

A competent person is someone who has sufficient training, knowledge, experience and other qualities to properly identify fire hazards, assess the risks to relevant persons and recommend appropriate fire safety measures.
For small, simple premises with straightforward fire risks, the Responsible Person may be able to complete the assessment themselves if they have the necessary competence. However, many businesses and organisations choose to appoint an independent fire risk assessor to ensure the assessment is suitable, sufficient and complies with current fire safety legislation and recognised guidance.

Larger or more complex premises—such as residential blocks of flats, schools, churches, hotels, industrial buildings and high-risk commercial premises—typically require a higher level of fire safety knowledge and experience.

At 225 Fire Solutions, our fire risk assessments are completed by experienced, independent fire risk assessors using the principles of PAS 79, ensuring a structured, comprehensive and practical assessment tailored to your premises. We provide clear recommendations to help you meet your legal responsibilities and improve the safety of your building and its occupants.

Question 3

How Often Should a Fire Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?

Accepted Answer

There is no fixed legal review period for a fire risk assessment. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person must ensure that the assessment remains suitable and sufficient and is reviewed regularly.

A review should be carried out whenever there is reason to believe the existing assessment is no longer valid, including:
Significant alterations to the building or its layout.
Changes in the way the premises are used.
An increase or change in occupancy.
Changes to fire safety measures, such as fire alarm systems or means of escape.
Following a fire, near miss or other fire-related incident.
Where new legislation or guidance affects the premises.

Even where no significant changes have occurred, 225 Fire Solutions recommends that fire risk assessments are reviewed at least annually to confirm they remain accurate and continue to reflect the current use of the building.

More complex or higher-risk premises may require more frequent reviews depending on the nature of the risks and occupancy.

Regular reviews help ensure ongoing compliance with fire safety legislation while maintaining appropriate protection for occupants and visitors.

Question 4

How Long Does a Fire Risk Assessment Take and What Happens During the Assessment?

Accepted Answer

The time required to complete a fire risk assessment depends on the size, complexity and use of the premises. As a general guide, a small office or retail premises may take an hour, while larger buildings such as schools, churches, residential blocks or industrial premises may require 2–5 hours or longer.

Following the site visit, additional time is required to prepare a comprehensive written report and prioritised action plan.

During the assessment, a competent fire risk assessor will carry out a systematic inspection of the premises to identify fire hazards, evaluate the risks to relevant persons and determine whether existing fire safety measures are suitable and sufficient.

The assessment will typically include a review of:
Means of escape and travel distances.
Fire alarm and detection systems.
Emergency lighting.
Fire doors and compartmentation (where accessible).
Fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.
Escape route signage and emergency procedures.
Housekeeping, storage arrangements and ignition sources.
Electrical fire safety.
The needs of vulnerable occupants and evacuation arrangements.
Fire safety management, maintenance records and staff training.

Where appropriate, existing fire safety documentation such as previous fire risk assessments and maintenance records may also be reviewed.

Following the inspection, you will receive a detailed fire risk assessment report outlining the findings, identifying any areas requiring improvement and providing a prioritised action plan with practical recommendations to help you comply with current fire safety legislation and protect the occupants of your premises.

Question 5

How Much Does a Fire Risk Assessment Cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of a fire risk assessment depends on several factors, including the size, complexity and use of the building. Every premises is different, so we provide quotations based on the specific property rather than offering a one-size-fits-all price.

Factors that can influence the cost include:
The size and layout of the premises.
The type of occupancy and fire risks present.
The number of floors and buildings.
The complexity of the fire safety arrangements.
The location of the property.

At 225 Fire Solutions, we offer fixed-price quotations with no hidden charges, and because we are not VAT registered, the price we quote is the price you pay.

As a guide, our fire risk assessments typically start from £215 for smaller, straightforward premises, with larger or more complex buildings quoted individually.

Every assessment includes:
A comprehensive on-site inspection by an experienced fire risk assessor.
A detailed fire risk assessment report completed using the principles of PAS 79.
A prioritised action plan with practical recommendations.
Ongoing support should you have any questions following the assessment.

If you're unsure what type of assessment you require, simply get in touch with 225 Fire Solutions. We'll be happy to discuss your property, answer any questions and provide a free, no-obligation quotation.

Frequently Asked Questions | Fire Risk Assessment FAQs.