What Happens During a Fire Risk Assessment?

If you've never had a Fire Risk Assessment before, it can feel like a daunting prospect. It shouldn't be. Here is exactly what to expect — from the moment you get in touch to the day your report arrives.

Before the Visit

When you contact us, we'll ask a few straightforward questions: what type of building it is, roughly how large, how it is used, and whether there are any specific concerns you already have. This lets us give you an accurate fixed-price quote and allocate the right amount of time for the visit — usually between one and three hours depending on the premises.

You don't need to prepare anything elaborate. However, it is helpful if you can have the following available on the day if you have them:

• Any previous Fire Risk Assessment (even an old or incomplete one)
• Fire alarm service records and any maintenance certificates
• Emergency lighting test records
• Fire extinguisher service records
• Your current fire evacuation plan, if you have one
• Any known issues — damp, structural problems, known blocked exits, etc.

If you don't have any of these, that's fine. Their absence is itself part of the picture.

The Visit Itself

The assessor will arrive at the agreed time and will want to carry out a full walkthrough of the building — all areas, including plant rooms, storage areas, roof spaces where accessible, and any outbuildings that form part of the premises.

What we're looking at

The walkthrough is structured around identifying fire hazards and assessing how well they are controlled. In practice, this means examining:

• Ignition sources — electrical equipment, heating, cooking, candles, and any other sources of heat or spark
• Fuel sources — stored materials, furnishings, waste, anything that would feed a fire once started
• Means of escape — are there sufficient routes out of the building? Are they clearly signed, unobstructed, and do they lead to a place of safety? How far does someone have to travel to reach an exit?
• Fire detection and warning — is there an alarm system? Is it tested regularly? Does it cover all areas? Would it wake sleeping occupants in a care home or HMO?
• Fire doors — are they self-closing? Do they close fully onto the latch? Are the intumescent strips intact? Are any propped open?
• Emergency lighting — is there adequate lighting on escape routes that works independently of the mains supply?
• Fire-fighting equipment — are there appropriate extinguishers, correctly sited and recently serviced?
• People at risk — who uses the building, and does anyone have particular needs in an evacuation? This is especially important for elderly people, children, and anyone with a mobility impairment

Talking to you

A good Fire Risk Assessment is not just a physical inspection — it involves understanding how the building is actually used. We will ask about your activities, your typical occupancy, how staff or volunteers are trained, and whether you have any existing emergency procedures. This conversation often surfaces important information that the physical inspection alone would miss.

After the Visit: Your Report

Your written Fire Risk Assessment report will be sent to you within seven days of the visit. It will include:

• A description of your premises and how it is used
• The significant findings of the assessment — the hazards identified and the people at risk
• An action plan, with each item given a priority rating (immediate, high, medium, low)
• Details of the existing fire safety measures that are already in place and are adequate
• An emergency evacuation plan, or recommendations for improving your existing one
• A signature and date, confirming the assessment has been carried out by a competent person

The report is written in plain English. It is designed to be usable by someone who is not a fire safety specialist — which, for most of our clients, is exactly the case.

What Happens Next?

Once you have the report, the main work is implementing the recommended actions. Many of these will be straightforward and low-cost — clearing a blocked escape route, replacing a fire extinguisher, arranging a fire drill, updating an evacuation plan. Others may require more investment, such as upgrading an alarm system or replacing fire doors.

We are always happy to discuss the findings with you after the report is delivered. If you need us to return to sign off that actions have been completed — for example, if your insurer or a regulatory body requires evidence — we can arrange a follow-up visit.

How Long Is the Assessment Valid For?

There is no fixed legal renewal period, but the law requires your assessment to be kept under review. Most assessors recommend a full review every one to three years, and an annual check of the key findings. You should also review it after any significant change to the building, its use, or the people within it.