Fireproof your future. 

A Fire Risk Assessment is a legal requirement for your business. It is the systematic evaluation of a building or environment to identify fire hazards and risks, assess their potential harm and implement measures to mitigate them. A full assessment and detailed report is produced for your records, which includes:

• Full review of findings

• Identified fire hazards

• Identified people at risk

• Risk evaluation

• Control measures to implement

• Cadence for review and update

A Fire Risk Assessment is required to be a “living document” - it does not expire on a set date, but it must always remain valid and up to date.

A Fire Risk Assessment includes the following, tailored to your business premises or rental property:

• Full record of findings: the assessment process, findings and actions taken.

• Identified risk hazards: recognising ignition, fuel, and oxygen sources that could cause fire.

• Identified people at risk: including employees, visitors, contractors and vulnerable individuals.

• Risk evaluation: the likelihood of a fire starting and the potential impact on people & property.

• Control measures to implement: to reduce or eliminate fire hazards and risks.

• Cadence for review and update: to ensure the FRA remains relevant and effective, especially after building, occupancy or regulatory changes.

A Fire Risk Assessment should be reviewed:

• At least once a year, even if nothing significant has changed

• Whenever there are material changes to the building, its use, or the occupants. For example:

  • Building layout changes (new walls, doors, escape routes)

  • Change in the number or type of occupants (e.g. vulnerable persons)

  • Introduction of new processes, equipment, or hazardous substances

  • Alterations to fire safety systems (alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers)

• After a fire, near-miss, or significant incident to reassess risks and ensure controls are still adequate.

If you run a business with physical premises, you are legally required to have a Fire Risk Assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which covers all non-domestic premises. This applies whether your business is an office, shop, warehouse, restaurant, a fitness facility or any other type of workplace where you have employees or members of the public at your premises.

It is a legal requirement for landlords who have Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), Serviced Accommodation and blocks of flats with communal areas to have a Fire Risk Assessment conducted by a competent person.

For a Fire Risk Assessment to be valid, it must be conducted by a competent person. This person must have:

• A detailed understanding of Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and other relevant UK fire safety regulations

• Understanding of fire risks and hazards including: sources of ignition, fuel sources and oxygen sources

• Formal fire safety training or specific qualifications for controlling fire risks

• Experience in fire safety and fire safety planning

• Sufficient knowledge of fire detection and alarm systems, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, fire doors, escape routes and other fire safety measures

Business owners and landlords therefore cannot legally conduct their own Fire Risk Assessment, unless they meet the above criteria.

You may have had a visit from the Fire Service and/or checks on your fire safety equipment annually (e.g. fire extinguishers and fire alarm panel). This is not a Fire Risk Assessment, this is a Fire Safety Audit. The Fire Service will check that your business has a Fire Risk Assessment and all supporting documents in place, but they do not conduct the Fire Risk Assessment for you.

Businesses with a physical premises should have the following fire safety documentation in place to comply with regulation:

• Fire Risk Assessment: Identifies potential fire hazards and assesses the risk level to implement preventive measures.

• Fire Safety Statement of Intent: Declares the business's commitment to maintaining a fire-safe environment and adhering to regulations.

• Fire Evacuation Policy: Outlines the procedures for safe evacuation of employees and visitors during a fire.

• Fire Emergency Action Plan: Details specific actions and responsibilities in the event of a fire emergency.

• Fire Safety Training Information: records employee training on fire safety procedures and equipment usage.

• Fire Safety Policy: A comprehensive guide covering all fire safety standards and practices within the business.

• Fire Safety Testing & Maintenance Records: documents inspections, tests, and maintenance of fire safety equipment to ensure functionality.

At Orion Risk Management, we can produce all necessary fire safety documentation tailored to your business.

Prices vary depending on the size of your business premises and the industry you operate in. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your requirements.