Frequently Asked Questions

A fire risk assessment is a methodical review of your premises to identify fire hazards, assess the risk they pose to the people in and around the building, and determine what actions need to be taken to reduce or remove those risks. It follows five key steps: identify the fire hazards; identify the people at risk; evaluate the risks and act to remove or reduce them; record, plan, inform, and train; and review regularly as circumstances change. The assessment forms the foundation of your entire fire safety programme.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to virtually all non-domestic premises in England and Wales — including offices, shops, warehouses, factories, HMOs, care homes, schools, hotels, churches, and the common parts of blocks of flats. If you are an employer, owner, landlord, occupier, or anyone else with control of a premises that is not a single private dwelling, you almost certainly need one. Where there are five or more people in the business, the assessment must be recorded in writing — though we recommend recording it regardless of size.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 allows any "competent person" — someone with sufficient training, experience, and knowledge — to carry out a fire risk assessment. For small, straightforward, low-risk premises, it may be possible to do it yourself. But as premises or circumstances become more complex, the risks of an inadequate assessment increase significantly. As the Responsible Person, you remain legally accountable regardless of who carries out the assessment, so it is important to satisfy yourself as to the competence of whoever does it. Our assessors hold the ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment and have more than 30 years of sector experience.

As a minimum, we recommend a review every twelve months. But you should revisit it sooner if circumstances change — for example, if there are structural changes to the building, a significant change in occupancy or building use, a change in the processes carried out on site, or a fire or near-miss incident. For higher-risk or higher-occupancy premises, more frequent reviews are advisable. We offer a renewal reminder service for clients whose assessments we have carried out, so you never lose track of when a review is due.

Our assessor will take time to understand your premises, your business, and the people who use the building. They will carry out a thorough walk-through, examining all aspects of fire safety — from ignition sources and escape routes to fire detection systems, compartmentation, fire doors, extinguishers, and signage. They will speak with the Responsible Person and anyone else who can provide relevant information. We will always try to minimise disruption. The time required varies by premises, but we will give you a clear guide when we speak to you beforehand.

You will receive a full, written fire risk assessment report setting out the findings clearly and in plain language. This includes an action plan with prioritised recommendations — so you know what needs addressing immediately and what can be planned in over time. We also provide post-assessment support: we remain available to discuss your findings, advise on how to address them cost-effectively, and help you implement any actions. The report meets the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and can be produced to enforcing authorities if required.

No — the assessment is the starting point, not the end point. It identifies the actions you need to take; compliance requires you to actually take them. That said, having a current, well-documented fire risk assessment puts you in a significantly stronger position than having none at all. It demonstrates that you have taken your responsibilities seriously and gives you a clear, prioritised roadmap for addressing any deficiencies. We support clients through that process and can help coordinate remedial works, training, and ongoing compliance management.

A fire door is only effective if every component — the leaf, frame, seals, hinges, closer, and ironmongery — is in good condition and functioning correctly. Worn intumescent seals, incorrect gaps, a closer that does not fully shut the door, or non-compliant ironmongery can all compromise a door's ability to hold back fire and smoke. Routine checks by staff are a legal requirement for many buildings, but they cannot replicate the depth of a professional inspection against recognised performance standards.

Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, Responsible Persons for buildings containing two or more domestic premises must carry out checks on fire doors in common areas at least every three months, and checks on flat entrance doors at least annually. These routine checks are separate from — and complementary to — a professional inspection. We generally recommend a professional inspection at least annually, and more frequently for high-traffic doors or buildings with a history of fire door defects.

Every door is assessed individually and logged under a unique Door ID and location reference. The report includes a summary overview showing total doors surveyed and a breakdown of findings by priority (Low / Medium / High), door-by-door inspection records covering all key components, clear action statements for every defect identified, and photographic evidence where required. The report is designed to be used directly by building managers, maintenance teams, and contractors — not filed away.

Our pricing is straightforward: £14.00 per door for up to 49 doors, reducing to £12.00 per door for 50 or more doors. There is a minimum attendance charge of £75.00. For larger portfolios across multiple sites, contact us to discuss a tailored arrangement. All prices include a full written report. There are no hidden costs.

Our inspectors are qualified and experienced fire safety professionals. Tim Fletcher holds the ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment and is a member of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers. We carry full professional indemnity insurance. For more information on what to look for when choosing a fire door inspector, see our guide to fire door inspector qualifications.

Yes. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the Responsible Person to ensure that employees receive adequate fire safety instruction and training, repeated periodically. This applies to all non-domestic premises. The training must be appropriate to the role — staff with specific fire safety duties, such as fire marshals and wardens, need more detailed training than general employees. Online-only training is not always sufficient, particularly for staff with active evacuation responsibilities.

Fire Safety Awareness (2 hours, £395) is an introductory course suitable for all staff. It covers the essentials — how fires start and spread, how to raise the alarm, evacuation procedures, and safe extinguisher use — with hands-on extinguisher practice on a controlled live fire.

Fire Marshal and Warden Training (3 hours, £495) is a more detailed course for staff with specific fire safety duties. It covers everything in the awareness course, plus evacuation planning, fire alarm systems, sweeping and accounting for occupants, and liaising with the Responsible Person and emergency services. Both courses are limited to eight delegates and delivered at your premises.

Online fire safety training has its place, but it has real limitations. It cannot replicate the experience of using an extinguisher on a real fire, it cannot be tailored to your specific building and procedures, and it often produces limited retention and confidence under pressure. Our on-site courses are built around your premises, your escape routes, and your actual fire risks. Where we have already carried out your fire risk assessment, we can make the training even more directly relevant. The difference in staff confidence is immediately visible.

Each session accommodates up to eight delegates. This ensures every participant gets proper attention and genuine hands-on time with the extinguisher training. For larger organisations, we can run multiple sessions across a day or consecutive days. Contact us to discuss the best approach for your team size.

The law requires training to be repeated "periodically" — though it does not specify an exact frequency. As a general guide, we recommend annual training for fire marshals and wardens, and training for all new staff as part of their induction. Training should also be repeated whenever there are significant changes to the building, its use, or its emergency procedures. Where staff turnover is high, more frequent training cycles are advisable.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — commonly referred to as the Fire Safety Order or FSO — is the primary piece of fire safety legislation for non-domestic premises in England and Wales. It places a legal duty on the "Responsible Person" (typically the employer, owner, landlord, or occupier) to carry out a fire risk assessment, implement appropriate fire safety measures, maintain those measures, and provide staff training. It is enforced by Fire and Rescue Authorities, who have powers to inspect premises, issue notices, and prosecute for non-compliance.

The Building Safety Act 2022 introduced significant new obligations for buildings above 18 metres in height or seven storeys, including requirements to register with the Building Safety Regulator, maintain a "golden thread" of building safety information, and produce a Building Safety Case. It also strengthened the rights of residents to raise safety concerns and compel landlords and managing agents to act. For a detailed overview, see our Building Safety Act guide for managing agents.

A PEEP — Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan — is a tailored plan for a resident or occupant who may need additional support to evacuate in the event of a fire. The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025 came into force on 6 April 2026, requiring Responsible Persons for qualifying residential buildings to identify relevant residents, offer Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments, and produce Emergency Evacuation Statements. For a full guide, see our article on Residential PEEPs for property managers.

Yes. Fire and Rescue Authorities are the enforcing authority for the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and can carry out inspections at any time, though in practice you will usually be given prior notice for routine visits. They have powers to issue enforcement notices, prohibition notices, and alteration notices — and in serious cases to prosecute. We can liaise with the Fire and Rescue Service on your behalf if required, and we can help you prepare for an inspection.

The consequences range from informal enforcement action at one end — such as action plans and notifications of deficiencies — to enforcement notices, prohibition notices, prosecution, substantial fines, and imprisonment at the other. The severity depends on the nature and seriousness of the breach, and in particular whether it has put people at risk of serious harm. Non-compliance can also invalidate insurance, trigger civil claims, and cause serious reputational damage. The regime has become significantly more robust since the Building Safety Act 2022.

Our fire risk assessments start from £295 per site. The exact price depends on the size, complexity, and nature of the premises. We will always give you a clear, fixed price before any work begins — there are no hidden costs or surprise add-ons. Contact us with details of your premises and we will provide a quote promptly.

We are based in Chester and work across the North West and North Wales. We regularly serve clients in Chester, Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington, Wirral, Wrexham, and the surrounding areas. For the right commission we will travel further — get in touch and we can discuss whether we are the right fit for your needs.

In most cases we can arrange an assessment within a few working days, though this depends on our current schedule and the complexity of your premises. If you have a time-sensitive requirement — for example, ahead of an enforcement inspection or a property transaction — contact us directly and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Yes — we work with a wide range of clients from individual landlords with a single HMO to national managing agents overseeing large residential and commercial portfolios. For clients with multiple properties we can develop a programme of assessments, inspections, and training that fits your portfolio, your schedule, and your budget. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.

It is helpful — but not essential — to have available any existing fire risk assessments, fire safety records, building plans, maintenance logs for fire safety equipment, and details of any recent works carried out. Our assessor will identify what is relevant during the visit and will ask for anything they need. You do not need to prepare extensively — just ensure the Responsible Person is available to speak with our assessor on the day.