Your Questions, Answered

Fire Risk Assessments

  • A fire risk assessment is a structured review of a building to identify fire hazards, evaluate the risk to occupants, and implement measures to reduce or eliminate those risks.

    Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all non-domestic premises in England and Wales must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.

  • Yes - All business premises and communal areas require a fire risk assessment in accordance with RR(FS)O. This includes HMOs and communal parts of residential blocks. Business owners, employers, landlords, managing agents, and anyone defined as the “Responsible Person” must ensure a fire risk assessment is carried out and kept up to date.

    Failure to comply can result in:

    • Unlimited fines

    • Enforcement notices

    • Business closure

    • Prosecution

    • Imprisonment in serious cases

  • Best practice is to review annually, or sooner if:

    • There are changes to the building layout

    • Staff numbers increase

    • Business activities change

    • A fire occurs

    • Significant safety concerns arise

  • The Responsible Person is legally accountable for fire safety. This may be:

    • The employer

    • The building owner

    • The landlord

    • A facilities manager

    • A managing agent

    They must ensure:

    • A fire risk assessment is completed

    • Fire safety measures are implemented

    • Staff receive training

    • Fire extinguishers are serviced

    • Escape routes are maintained

  • Cost will depend on the following:

    • Size of premises

    • Risk level

    • Location

    • Complexity

    Typical ranges:

    • Small premises: £300-350

    • Medium premises: £350 – £750

    • Large/high-risk sites: £750+

    • Large portfolios: We offer a discounted rate for multiple sites.

    • We inspect all relevant areas of the premises, including workspaces, storage areas, and escape routes

    • We review fire safety measures such as alarms, emergency lighting, signage, and extinguishers

    • We identify potential fire hazards and assess the level of risk

    • We check escape routes and evacuation procedures for suitability

    • We take photographs and notes to support your fire risk assessment report

    We’ll also talk you through any findings and practical ways to address them. And we also like a good cup of tea (with a hobnob!)

  • Yes. Landlords of HMOs and blocks of flats must ensure fire safety in common areas and comply with housing legislation and local authority requirements.

  • Yes. Any business with employees must have a fire risk assessment, regardless of size.

  • Enforcement authorities may issue:

    • Enforcement Notices

    • Prohibition Notices

    • Unlimited fines

    • Criminal prosecution

    Serious breaches can result in imprisonment.

Fire Extinguishers Installations & Maintenance

  • Fire extinguishers must be:

    • Visually checked monthly by the business

    • Serviced annually by a competent engineer

    Extended servicing is required every 5 or 10 years depending on extinguisher type.

  • Yes. UK fire safety law requires fire-fighting equipment to be maintained in efficient working order.

    Annual servicing is also typically required by insurance policies.

  • Common fire extinguisher types include:

    Water (for wood, paper and textiles)

    Foam (for flammable liquids)

    CO₂ (for electrical fires)

    Powder (multi-purpose use, often in industrial settings)

    Wet chemical (specifically for commercial kitchen fires).

    The correct selection and provision should always be confirmed through a fire risk assessment or professional site survey.

  • No. Annual servicing must be completed by a trained and competent engineer in accordance with British Standards.

Fire Marshal Training

  • Fire marshal (fire warden) training isn’t specifically named in UK law, but employers are legally required to provide suitable fire safety training and put effective emergency arrangements in place. In practice, this usually means appointing trained staff to help manage evacuations and support fire safety procedures. There is no fixed legal number of fire marshals required; it should be determined by a fire risk assessment based on factors such as building size, occupancy, risk level, and working patterns, ensuring adequate trained cover at all times.

    We can recommend when fire marshal/wardens are needed, and how many your company will need.

  • Courses typically last:

    • Half-day (3–4 hours)

    • Full-day (higher risk premises)

    Our training sessions take place in-person and the practical side to the lesson is subject to available outdoor space.

  • Refresher training is recommended:

    • Every 3 years (low risk)

    • Every 1–2 years (higher risk environments)

    • After significant changes

  • General guidance suggests:

    • Minimum of two extinguishers per floor

    • One water-based extinguisher per 200m²

    • Additional extinguishers for specific hazards

    A fire risk assessment confirms exact requirements.

NEED HELP?

If you require:

Contact us today for professional, compliant, and reliable fire safety services across London, Surrey and the South East