Protecting People and Business Continuity
Offices, retail and multi-let premises
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, every employer, owner or occupier with control of non-domestic premises is a responsible person. You must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, put the right fire safety measures in place, and make sure staff are trained and know what to do.
Since October 2023, every responsible person must also keep a written record of the full assessment, however many people they employ. In a multi-let building, landlords and tenants each have duties and must co-operate and share fire safety information with each other.
We give you a clear, proportionate assessment that focuses on what genuinely protects people. It also stands up to scrutiny from insurers, the fire and rescue service and your own board.
What We Look At
Housekeeping and storage
Combustible storage, waste, and stock or equipment kept in escape routes, plant rooms and service risers.
Ignition sources
Electrical installations, heating, cooking areas, hot work, smoking and charging of lithium-ion batteries such as e-bikes and tools.
Escape and warning
Escape routes, exits, fire alarm coverage, emergency lighting and signage, and whether they suit how the building is used today.
Fire protection
Fire doors and the visible condition of fire separation, especially where the layout has been changed by fit-outs.
Training and drills
Staff induction, fire wardens, drills and the arrangements for visitors and anyone who may need help to evacuate.
Maintenance records
Testing and servicing of alarms, emergency lighting, extinguishers and other fire safety systems.
Multi-Let Buildings
Where several businesses share a building, there is often more than one responsible person. The landlord is usually responsible for the common parts and shared systems, and each tenant for the areas they control.
Responsible persons in the same building must co-operate, co-ordinate their fire safety arrangements and keep each other informed of the risks. We can help set up arrangements that work for everyone.
Warehouses and Factories
Industrial sites bring their own risks, from high-bay storage and process hazards to flammable liquids, gases and dusts.
Services for Commercial Premises
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a written fire risk assessment if I have fewer than five employees?
Yes. The old five-employee threshold was removed in October 2023. Every responsible person must now keep a written record of their full fire risk assessment.
Is the landlord or the tenant responsible for fire safety?
Often both. It depends on who controls which parts of the premises, which is usually set out in the lease. Each responsible person must assess the areas they control and co-operate with the others.
Will your report satisfy my insurer?
Our reports are written to be clear and defensible, and insurers regularly ask to see them. If your insurer has specific requirements, let us know when you book and we will make sure they are covered.
Need a fire risk assessment for your business?
Tell us about your premises and we will come back to you with a clear scope and quote.
Talk to Us About Commercial Fire Safety
Tell us a little about your building and what you need. A consultant will come back to you with a clear scope and quote.