A Practical Assessment Of Your Premises
A fire risk assessment should describe how your building is used and how people can leave it safely. Our assessment scope covers ignition sources, combustible materials, people at risk and the precautions intended to protect them. We look at the relationship between those issues rather than treating equipment as an isolated checklist.
An office above a shop has different escape arrangements from a warehouse with high storage racks. A school needs to account for pupils and visitors, while a factory may need to consider shift patterns, hot processes and contractors. Tell us how your Nottingham premises operate so the visit can be scoped around the actual activities.
The resulting report should help the responsible person make decisions. It should distinguish immediate concerns from planned improvements and identify any parts of the building that could not be inspected. A written record is useful only when someone owns the actions and checks that they have been completed.
When To Arrange A Review
Arrange an assessment when taking responsibility for premises or when a usable current assessment is missing. A review is also sensible after a fire, a significant near miss or a material change in occupancy. Layout changes, new machinery, altered escape routes and changes to vulnerable occupants can all affect the earlier findings.
There is no universal expiry date that makes every assessment current until its next anniversary. The review programme should reflect risk and change. If an existing report includes uncompleted actions, bring it to the visit so these can be considered alongside the present condition of the building.
Legal Duties And The Assessment Scope
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, as amended, is the main fire safety framework for workplaces in England. The responsible person must assess fire risk and keep appropriate precautions in place. Appointing an assessor supports that duty but does not transfer responsibility for managing the premises.
All responsible persons must record their fire risk assessment in full and record their fire safety arrangements. A fire risk assessment is not the same as a fire strategy, an intrusive compartmentation survey or a specialist engineering design. If concealed construction or a complex evacuation strategy needs further investigation, that limitation should be stated clearly.
How The Assessment Works
- Before the visit, provide floor plans, the previous assessment, occupancy information and relevant maintenance records. We agree access to occupied areas, service rooms and shared escape routes. Any restrictions, safeguarding rules or induction requirements should be discussed before attendance.
- During the visit, the assessor inspects the agreed areas and discusses how the premises are managed. After the visit, findings are assembled into a report with a prioritised action schedule. Review the report with the person who controls budgets and arrange specialist follow-up for matters outside the agreed inspection scope.
What Affects The Cost
Assessment cost depends on the size and complexity of the premises, the number of buildings and the activities taking place. Unusual hazards, several occupiers, incomplete records and restricted access can increase the time needed. A small straightforward office and a multi-building production site should not be quoted from the same assumptions.
Ask whether the quotation includes the written report, discussion of findings and any agreed revisit. Send a site plan and a brief description of the business with your enquiry. We can then clarify the scope before a price is proposed, including any separate survey work that may be needed.
Reference: GOV.UK fire risk assessment guidance. Standards inform the agreed scope. They are not a claim of certification or accreditation.
Your Questions Answered
Does A Fire Risk Assessment Include Remedial Work?
A fire risk assessment identifies issues and sets out actions, while remedial work needs its own agreed scope. The report might recommend alarm changes, door repairs or improvements to escape arrangements. Ask for each proposed task to be explained and priced separately so you can compare what is included and decide how to address the findings.
Can You Review An Existing Fire Risk Assessment?
An existing fire risk assessment can provide a useful starting point for a review. Share the complete report and action tracker, along with details of changes since the last visit. The assessor will need to judge whether a review can update the document sensibly or whether the premises need a fresh assessment with a wider scope.
What Should I Prepare For The Assessment?
Preparing for a fire risk assessment means making the building and its records available. Gather plans, occupancy details, evacuation arrangements and recent equipment reports. Nominate someone who understands the premises to attend and identify locked rooms in advance. Tell us about restricted access or sensitive operations so the inspection can be planned around them.
Arrange The Right Next Step
We welcome commercial enquiries from Nottingham, Arnold, Beeston, Bulwell, Carlton, Colwick, Hucknall, Netherfield, Ruddington and West Bridgford. Check the areas covered and include the premises postcode so the proposed visit can be planned for your location.
If the requirement involves several trades, include them in one message. Our fire risk assessment guide explains how findings can help define the work. For wider questions, read our commercial fire safety FAQs or send an enquiry with your available records.