What is a Fire Risk Assessment?
A Fire Risk Assessment is a structured review of a building, its use and its fire safety arrangements. It identifies potential fire hazards, considers the people who may be at risk, evaluates existing precautions and sets out the actions that may be needed to reduce risk so far as reasonably practicable.
Who is responsible for fire safety?
In England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places duties on the ‘responsible person’ — typically the employer, building owner, landlord or managing agent. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own fire safety legislation with similar principles. The responsible person must ensure a suitable and sufficient assessment is carried out and kept up to date. Commissioning a professional assessment supports these duties, but the legal responsibility remains with the responsible person.
Which premises require assessment?
Almost all non-domestic premises require a Fire Risk Assessment, including:
- Offices, shops and commercial premises
- Industrial and manufacturing facilities
- Care homes and healthcare premises
- Schools and educational establishments
- Common parts of residential blocks
- Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
What happens during an assessment?
Our assessor attends your premises and carries out a methodical inspection of the building and its fire safety arrangements. This typically covers means of escape, fire detection and warning systems, fire-fighting equipment, emergency lighting, fire doors and compartmentation, signage, housekeeping and the management of fire safety. We also review relevant documentation and discuss how the building is used day to day.
What does the written report include?
Following the assessment you receive a clear written report setting out our findings and recommendations. Depending on the premises, this may include identified hazards or deficiencies, photographic evidence, areas requiring attention and prioritised recommended actions, so you can plan remedial work in a practical order.
What happens if deficiencies are identified?
Where the assessment identifies areas of concern, the report explains what we found and the actions we recommend. Some findings may point towards further specialist investigation — for example a detailed Fire Door Inspection or a Fire Compartmentation Survey — which OJ can provide where required. Not every assessment will require further surveys; recommendations are based on what we actually find.
Fire Risk Assessments for multiple properties
We regularly support landlords, managing agents, housing providers and multi-site organisations with assessments across property portfolios. Assessments can be scheduled across sites with consistent reporting, making it easier to manage fire safety responsibilities across an entire portfolio.