Fire Risk Assessment2025-11-17T16:31:06+00:00

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT

Since 2006, it has been a legal requirement
for a UK business to carry out a fire risk assessment

WE CAN HELP ENSURE YOU ARE COMPLIANT

Fire Risk Assessments are a legal requirement in all commercial properties. The high level of expertise required to undertake the assessment and complete the required PAS-79 formatted document is critical to ensure you and your properties are protected.

All our Risk Assessors are minimum BAFE SP205 accredited, with an encyclopaedic knowledge of all aspects of fire safety legislation, so you don’t have to. It is our job to keep your company compliant with the legislation and your team confident in all aspects of fire safety awareness.

The 5 main components of a fire risk assessment

  • Identify the fire hazards.
  • Determine who may be harmed and how.
  • Evaluate, remove, and reduce the risks.
  • Record your findings, prepare an emergency plan, and provide training.
  • Review and update the fire risk assessment regularly.

We offer a professional service with tailormade solutions to meet your individual needs, we will provide detailed Fire Risk Assessments, with clear advice and a follow up plan to assist you in completing any actions uncovered.

Having an up-to-date fire risk assessment in place and evidence that you have put policies and procedures in place to protect your premises dramatically reduces the risk of fire, and proves that you have taken steps as a responsible employer to safeguard your staff, customers, visitors or tenants.

Our fire risk assessment report comprises of an assessment of all procedures as well as compliance procedures for the following:

  • Fire alarm requirements
  • Emergency lighting requirements
  • Fire extinguisher requirements
  • Fire, escape and safety signage
  • Fire alarm requirements
  • Emergency lighting requirements
  • Fire extinguisher requirements
  • Fire, escape and safety signage

Need help with Fire Risk Assessments?

Our BAFE SP205 Accredited Fire Risk Assessors can help you plan to be safe, legal and informed. Please give us a little information, so we can help you get started.

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Frequently Asked Questions – Fire Risk Assessment

A fire risk assessment is a systematic review of your premises to identify fire hazards, determine who might be harmed and how, evaluate and remove or reduce those risks, record your findings and prepare an emergency plan, and regularly review the assessment.

Yes. If you run or occupy a non-domestic premises in the UK (for example a business, commercial or public building), you must carry out a fire risk assessment to comply with the law.

If you’re an employer, owner, landlord, occupier, managing agent or anyone with control over the premises you have a legal duty to ensure a fire risk assessment is conducted and periodically reviewed.

Typical key steps include:

  • Identifying fire hazards.
  • Determining who may be harmed and how.
  • Evaluating the risks and deciding on precautions.
  • Recording your significant findings, preparing an emergency plan and providing training.
  • Reviewing and updating the assessment regularly.
Non-compliance can lead to enforcement action including fines, prosecution and in serious cases imprisonment. Having and maintaining a valid fire risk assessment is vital both legally and for safety.
A professional fire risk assessment report should cover not only the hazard identification and risk evaluation but also your fire alarm system, emergency lighting, fire-fighting equipment (extinguishers etc.), escape routes, signage, and associated fire safety procedures

The fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and updated whenever there are significant changes – for example changes in building layout, occupancy levels, use of the building or fire-safety systems. Regular reviews help ensure ongoing compliance and safety.

You may choose to carry out certain parts of a fire risk assessment yourself especially if the building is simple, but using experienced and accredited fire-risk assessors (such as those certified under BAFE SP205) provides expertise, peace-of-mind, documentation accuracy and legal robustness.

Yes. An up-to-date and professionally conducted fire risk assessment demonstrates to insurers and regulators that you are proactively managing fire safety. That often reduces risk, may lower premiums and strengthens your position in the event of an incident or claim.
Following the assessment you should receive a written report with clear findings and recommendations. Then you’ll need to act on those recommendations, implementing necessary precautions, arranging training, documenting procedures and scheduling future reviews.

Hints & Tips When Considering a Fire Risk Assessment for Your Business

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, every commercial premises in the UK must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.
The “responsible person”, typically the employer, owner, landlord, or occupier, is legally accountable for ensuring it’s completed and kept up to date.

While simple premises can conduct their own assessments, most commercial environments should use a competent professional.
Look for assessors who are:

  • BAFE SP205 certified (industry-recognised accreditation)
  • Experienced in your sector (schools, offices, industrial, retail, etc.)
  • Able to provide full written reports and practical recommendations

This ensures your assessment is compliant and defensible in case of an audit or incident.

A thorough fire risk assessment will include:

  • Identification of fire hazards (heat sources, ignition points, materials)
  • Who is at risk and where
  • Evaluation of existing fire protection measures (alarms, detection, extinguishers, lighting)
  • Assessment of escape routes, signage, and emergency exits
  • Review of fire safety management procedures and staff training
  • Clear action plan with prioritised recommendations

If your report doesn’t include these, it may not be comprehensive.

Your assessment should be reviewed at least annually, or sooner if:

  • The building layout changes
  • Staff numbers or activities change
  • Fire safety systems are updated
  • There’s been a fire, false alarm, or near-miss incident

Outdated assessments can invalidate insurance and breach legal obligations.

A fire risk assessment is only effective if you act on it.
Use the recommendations to create a Fire Safety Action Plan, addressing high-risk items first and assigning responsibilities with deadlines.

Your assessment should connect with other key safety measures:

  • Fire alarm system testing and maintenance
  • Emergency lighting inspections
  • Fire extinguisher servicing
  • Evacuation procedures and drills
  • Staff training and induction programmes

This creates a joined-up, proactive approach to fire safety management.

Fire risk assessment is a continuous process.
As your business evolves, new machinery, office layouts, storage areas, risks change too.
Regular reviews help you stay compliant and keep people safe.

Keep a printed and digital copy of your fire risk assessment, certificates, and maintenance records.
Store them where the Fire & Rescue Service or inspectors can easily access them during audits or emergencies.

Even with the best systems, safety depends on people.
Train staff in fire awareness, evacuation procedures, and how to raise the alarm.
Regular fire drills (at least annually) reinforce readiness and identify practical issues in escape routes or procedures.
A professional, up-to-date fire risk assessment demonstrates you take fire safety seriously, improving your compliance record and sometimes even lowering insurance premiums.
Choosing a company that handles fire detection, emergency lighting, fire-fighting equipment, and maintenance (like SS Systems) means:

  • All systems are checked together
  • You get a single, cohesive report
  • You save time, disruption, and administrative effort

Bonus Tip: After receiving your assessment, schedule a short review meeting with your assessor to discuss the findings. This helps you fully understand any risks and ensures you’re implementing solutions that suit your business operations.

OUR PARTNERS

SS Systems partner with leading UK based manufacturers to ensure that the fire detection and alarm systems we provide are at the forefront of current technology, along with being the most reliable our industry has to offer.

Contact us today for a Free Site Survey to ensure you meet your Fire Safety and Security requirements.

If you would like to find out more about the services we offer, simply leave us your details and one of our friendly team will get in touch and arrange a call back or site visit.

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