A Fire Risk Assessment You Can Rely On
Your legal duty, handled properly
If you own, manage or control non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including the common parts of blocks of flats, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. Since October 2023, every responsible person must also keep a written record of the full assessment and of anyone appointed to help carry it out.
Our assessments are built around life safety. We look at how a fire could start, how it could spread, and whether the people in your building would be warned in time and able to get out safely. You get a report that sets out exactly what we found, why it matters and what to do about it, with each action given a clear priority.
Housing assessments follow BS 9792:2025, the British Standard code of practice for fire risk assessment in housing. Other premises are assessed using the PAS 79-1:2020 methodology. Every report is checked by a second senior consultant before it is issued.
What Your Assessment Covers
Every assessment is tailored to the building, but these are the areas we look at as standard.
Fire hazards
Sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen, including electrical installations, heating, cooking, smoking, arson risk and storage.
People at risk
Who uses the building and when, including residents, staff, visitors, lone workers and anyone who may need help to evacuate.
Means of escape
Escape routes, travel distances, protected stairs and corridors, final exits, signage and emergency lighting.
Fire protection
Fire doors, detection and alarm systems, firefighting equipment and the visible condition of fire separation in common areas.
External walls and structure
For multi-occupied residential buildings, a visual review of the external walls, balconies and flat entrance doors, as the Fire Safety Act 2021 requires.
Management
Your fire safety policy, testing and maintenance records, training, evacuation strategy and the information you give to residents and staff.
Premises We Assess
- Purpose-built and converted blocks of flats
- HMOs, sheltered and specialised housing
- Student accommodation
- Hotels, pubs and hospitality venues
- Offices, shops and multi-let commercial buildings
- Factories, warehouses and industrial units
- Theatres, sports stadia and leisure venues
- Holiday parks, marinas and waterside sites
Types of Assessment for Flats
For blocks of flats we will recommend the right type of assessment for the building, in line with the Local Government Association guide Fire Safety in Purpose-Built Blocks of Flats.
The standard starting point for most blocks. A visual inspection of the common parts without opening up the construction.
Wider assessments that include destructive inspection or access to flats. We will only recommend these where there is a clear reason to, and we will explain why.
How It Works
Book with us
We agree the scope with you first, so the method matches your building, its risk profile and your legal duties.
Site visit
A qualified consultant inspects the premises and reviews your fire safety records and management arrangements.
Quality control
Every report is peer reviewed by a second senior consultant, who checks the findings against the relevant standards.
Delivery
You receive a clear, prioritised report with practical actions, and we stay available to answer questions afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
The law says it must be reviewed regularly and whenever there is reason to think it is no longer valid, for example after building works, a change of use or a fire. In practice most organisations review annually, and higher-risk buildings often more frequently. We will recommend a review date in your report.
Do I need a fire risk assessment for a block of flats?
Yes. The common parts of a block of flats fall under the Fire Safety Order. Since the Fire Safety Act 2021, the assessment for a multi-occupied residential building must also consider the structure, external walls (including windows and balconies) and the entrance doors to individual flats.
What is BS 9792:2025?
BS 9792:2025 is the British Standard code of practice for fire risk assessment in housing. It sets out a consistent, thorough method for assessing residential buildings, and replaces the guidance previously found in PAS 79-2. For non-housing premises, PAS 79-1:2020 remains the recognised methodology.
How do I know my assessor is competent?
Your assessment must be suitable and sufficient, and government guidance is clear that anyone you appoint to help should be competent. The Building Safety Act 2022 will make this an explicit legal duty (new Article 9A of the Fire Safety Order) once it is brought into force, and the Government has committed to mandatory certification for fire risk assessors. Our assessors hold Level 4 qualifications in fire risk assessment and are members of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers. Every report is also peer reviewed by a second senior consultant.
What happens after the assessment?
You receive a written report with a prioritised action plan. If anything is unclear, or you need help planning remedial works, we are happy to talk it through. We can also carry out re-inspections to confirm actions have been completed.
Need a fire risk assessment?
Tell us about your building and we will come back to you with a clear scope and quote.
Related Services
Talk to Us About Fire Risk Assessments
Tell us a little about your building and what you need. A consultant will come back to you with a clear scope and quote.