By Fletcher Risk Director of Operations Sam Fletcher

Fire safety looks procedural from a distance. Lists, equipment, regulations. In reality it is an exercise in understanding people and understanding the buildings they rely on. My work at Fletcher Risk is about bringing clarity to something that can feel complicated and helping responsible persons feel confident in the decisions they need to make.

This is what a typical day looks like for me and why the work matters.

How I Got Here

Fletcher Risk was originally and still is my dad Tim’s business. He built it on careful assessments, great customer service and a quiet insistence on doing things properly. While he was building that foundation, I was in the corporate world building my own career and completing an MBA.

As the demand for assessments increased, it became clear the company needed more capacity and a more formal operational structure. My dad asked if I would consider joining, not simply to help manage the business but to work with clients as well. I took time to think it through and decided it was the right move.

I trained properly and worked through the professional qualifications including the ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment and the ABBE Level 3 Award in Fire Door Inspection. My dad continues to provide the technical depth the business was built on and I now lead the operational side while carrying out assessments myself. It is a practical partnership that works well.

Starting the Day

I have lived in Broughton for many years and most mornings start with a coffee (I’m not a breakfast person) and a look at the day’s schedule. I like to understand where I’m heading and who I’m meeting so the day starts with purpose rather than haste. Then I’m into the MG and off to my first visit.

On Site People First Building Second

When I arrive at site the first thing I do is sit down with the responsible person or their representative. Before any inspection begins I want to understand their situation. Some are confident. Some are unsure. Some have inherited responsibility for a building they do not yet fully understand. Many are juggling several jobs at once. My aim at this stage is to bring the temperature down. Fire safety can feel intimidating so the first task is to give people a sense of control.

Only then do I walk the building. I take time to understand how it functions in reality. I look at escape routes, fire doors, changes in layout, storage habits and the many human factors that influence risk. The building always tells a story if you give it time and the people who use it every day often tell the rest.

Lunch on the Road

Most days I eat wherever I happen to be. It is part of the job when you cover the North West and North Wales. When I’m working near Hoole I occasionally treat myself to a Peak Sandwiches which is well worth a visit if you’re nearby. I’m also not above the occasional McDonalds, which I suspect puts me in good company - right?

Turning Observations into Clarity

The afternoon is usually spent in the Chester office writing reports. A fire risk assessment only becomes valuable when it is clear and proportionate. I focus on producing reports that responsible persons can actually act on. Not long documents. Not jargon. Just clear priorities, context and a plan that fits the way the building really works.

I also take calls from clients who want guidance or costings or help planning their recommended actions. Those conversations matter as much as the reports themselves. Our company is lucky enough to know many great small businesses in the region who can help fix any fire safety problem. If you manage a business who can help our clients make their buildings safer, I’d like to hear from you too.

In the afternoons I usually check in with my dad who might be in the office or on a site somewhere in the region helping his own clients. My Dad is extremely experienced, so gets the most complex jobs - in our business it’s important to match the assessor to the task, otherwise the company and the client could end up in a dificult legal situation. We talk through the day so far and, more often than not, end up analysing Manchester United’s latest result. Hope springs eternal!

Running a Small Business

The work does not end when the assessments are done. Running a business means taking care of invoicing, scheduling, supplier relationships, insurance, compliance and keeping in touch with our contractor assessors, many of whom have supported Fletcher Risk from the beginning. It is the side of the job no qualification prepares you for but it is a vital part of keeping standards high and ensuring clients feel supported throughout the process.

Our employed and contractor community are a tight-knit group, but we are always on the lookout for qualified fire risk assessors - please reach out if you’re interested in working with us in our region.

Home by Six

I aim to be home in Broughton by around six in the evening. It is not always exact but it is a discipline I try to maintain. Overworking is a common trap in business and it leads to mistakes in judgement and communication. Fire safety relies on clarity of thought. That only happens if you protect your own energy.

Why the Work Matters

The value of this work is quiet. When it is done well nothing dramatic happens and most people never realise how many risks were identified and corrected before they became problems. That is the mark of a good assessment and it is the standard I work to each day.

If You Would Like to Discuss Your Building

If you would like a clearer understanding of your building or simply want to know where to begin I’m always happy to speak. A short conversation is often enough to bring direction and reassurance.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for professional fire safety advice or a formal fire risk assessment. Every building is different so if you are unsure please seek competent guidance.

Fletcher Risk Team - 11 December 2025

A Day in My Life as a Fire Risk Assessor