Professional fire risk assessments for UK businesses

Safety Assistance carries out thorough, site-specific fire risk assessments and provides a clear, prioritised action plan not just a report.

What is a fire risk assessment and who needs one?

A fire risk assessment is a structured review of your premises that identifies fire hazards, evaluates who is at risk and sets out what needs to be done to reduce that risk and keep people safe. It looks at ignition sources, fuel and oxygen, existing fire safety measures, escape routes and the people who use the building, including anyone who may be particularly vulnerable.

Most non-domestic premises in the UK are required by law to have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment in place. The duty falls on the responsible person, typically the employer, building owner or occupier. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is the primary legislation governing this duty for most non-domestic premises in England and Wales.

Safety Assistance carries out fire risk assessments for businesses across the UK. We cover a wide range of premises types, including residential buildings, offices, warehouses, licensed premises, HMOs and construction sites. Whether you need an assessment for the first time or a review of an existing one, we can help.

What our fire risk assessment includes

Site walkthrough and physical hazard identification
Assessment of ignition sources, fuel and oxygen
Review of existing fire detection and suppression systems
Review of fire signage, escape routes and emergency lighting
Identification of people at particular risk
Written assessment report with a clear risk rating
Prioritised action plan with practical recommendations
Review of emergency procedures and evacuation plans

Why use a qualified consultant rather than an online template?

Online templates and generic checklists can be a useful starting point, but they have real limitations. Every premises is different the layout, occupancy, activities, materials and existing fire safety measures all affect the level of risk. A site-specific assessment carried out by a qualified professional takes all of these factors into account in a way that a standard template cannot.

A competent assessor can identify hazards that a checklist might miss, ask the right questions about how the building is actually used, and give you practical recommendations that are proportionate to your situation rather than a generic list of actions.

A written report produced by a qualified consultant also provides a defensible record that demonstrates you have taken your responsibilities seriously. Safety Assistance’s founder, Stephen Shields, holds the NEBOSH Fire qualification, and all fire risk assessments are carried out by qualified team members.

If you already have an assessment in place, we can also carry out a review to check whether it remains suitable and sufficient, particularly if your premises, occupancy or activities have changed since it was last completed.

How it works

1. Discovery call

We start with a free discovery call to understand your premises, occupancy, current fire safety measures and any known concerns. This helps us plan the assessment and make sure we bring the right knowledge to the site visit.

2. Site visit

A qualified consultant visits your premises to carry out the physical assessment. We look at the building, how it is used, who is present and what fire safety measures are already in place.

3. Written report

We produce a written fire risk assessment report documenting our findings, a clear risk rating and prioritised recommendations. The report is suitable and sufficient for your premises.

4. Action plan review

We walk through the report with you, explain the findings in plain English and agree the next steps. You will know exactly what needs to be done and in what order.

5. Ongoing support

Safety Assistance can help you implement recommendations, schedule periodic reviews and store your fire risk assessment records in Safety Mate so nothing gets missed. We also offer a retained reassessment service if you want regular support.

Industries we work with

Fire risk requirements vary by sector and premises type. Our assessments are tailored to the specific hazards, occupancy and activities relevant to your industry.

Construction

Fire risk on construction sites involves temporary structures, hot works, fuel storage and changing site conditions.

Mechanical & Electrical

Electrical installations, flammable materials and workshop environments create specific fire risk considerations.

Logistics

Warehouses, racking, vehicle movements and stored goods all feature in a thorough logistics fire risk assessment.

Agriculture

Agricultural premises involve combustible materials, machinery and remote locations that require a tailored approach.

Arboriculture

Depots, vehicles, fuel storage and site operations all need to be considered for arboricultural businesses.

Hospitality & Events

Licensed premises, high occupancy and public access mean fire risk assessments are particularly important in this sector.

Common questions about fire risk assessments

How often does a fire risk assessment need to be reviewed?

A fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and kept up to date. It should also be reviewed whenever there are significant changes to the premises, occupancy, activities or fire safety measures for example, after a refurbishment, a change in use or following an incident. There is no single fixed interval that applies to every premises; the frequency should reflect the level of risk and how much has changed since the last review.

Who can carry out a fire risk assessment?

The law expects a fire risk assessment to be carried out by a competent person someone with the knowledge, skills and experience to identify fire hazards and evaluate the risks accurately. For many premises, particularly those with complex layouts, high occupancy or specific hazards, using a qualified external consultant gives you confidence that the assessment is thorough and defensible.

What happens if we do not have a fire risk assessment in place?

Failing to have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment in place can result in enforcement action by the relevant authority. The responsible person typically the employer, owner or occupier carries the duty. We would always recommend getting an assessment in place promptly rather than waiting until an issue arises.

Do you cover our type of premises?

We cover a wide range of premises types, including residential buildings, offices, warehouses, licensed premises, HMOs and construction sites. Safety Assistance operates nationwide, so wherever your premises are located in the UK, we can help. If you are unsure whether we cover your specific situation, get in touch and we will let you know.

Can you help us manage and schedule future reviews?

Yes. As well as carrying out the assessment itself, Safety Assistance offers a periodic review and reassessment service. You can also store and manage your fire risk assessment records in Safety Mate, our health and safety management platform, which can help you track review dates and keep your documentation in one place.

Is the initial discovery call free of charge?

Yes, the discovery call is free of charge. It gives us a chance to understand your premises and requirements, and gives you the opportunity to ask questions before committing to anything. Pricing is then based on your organisation's specific requirements and is discussed transparently before any work begins.

Ready to arrange your fire risk assessment?

Pricing is transparent and based on your organisation’s requirements, we will talk through everything on a free discovery call before any work begins.