FIRE RISK ASSESSMENTS

for small to medium business premises, blocks of flats & holiday cottages

WHO MUST HAVE A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT?

All business premises must have a fire risk assessment and this must be reviewed on a regular basis, usually this means annually. Since the law changed in October 2023 the requirement to have a written fire risk assessment applies to all workplaces, even small businesses which have less than five employees, so you might find your business is now included where there was no previous requirement.

Since the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety Order) came into force in 2006, the legal requirement to create Fire Risk Assessments falls upon ‘The Responsible Person’ within a business and the old fire certificates, which historically had been completed by the local Fire Service, were scrapped.  This normally means the director or business owner is responsible for making sure the law is followed.

Effectively managing fire risks is a crucial aspect of property management. To safeguard against fire hazards, the initial step involves the identification of these potential risks, which is where a Fire Risk Assessment comes into play. A written Fire Risk Assessment isn't just best practice, it's a legal requirement for all businesses, including holiday rentals and blocks of flats. It serves as a systematic evaluation of potential fire hazards within your property, along with specifying the necessary measures to reduce risk.

BOOK A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

Book a FREE initial call to find out if you need a fire risk assessment.

WHAT DOES A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT INVOLVE?

At Pinks Fire Safety, we take pride in offering comprehensive Fire Risk Assessments, conducted by skilled assessors who possess in-depth knowledge and expertise in fire safety. Our assessment process begins with an on-site visit to your premises on the scheduled day, during which we meticulously evaluate your property, fire hazards, and those who may be at risk from these hazards.

A thorough Fire Risk Assessment should:

  • Identify the fire hazards specific to your property.

  • Determine individuals at risk.

  • Assess the potential fire risks.

  • Furnish you with a clear, written report featuring actionable recommendations.

  • Ensure periodic reviews and updates to keep your assessment current.

Following our site visit and assessment, you will receive a comprehensive written report encompassing all aspects of the assessment. This report includes:

  • A management overview.

  • Visual documentation of identified risks.

  • A summary of fire risks and guidance on mitigating or eliminating risks to individuals within the building.

If you're uncertain about whether you require a Fire Risk Assessment or are interested in obtaining a quote, please don't hesitate to contact us today on 01305 237555 or submit an enquiry using the form. Your safety and fire prevention are our top priorities.

We are based in Dorset and complete fire risk assessments for clients across the south west in Dorset, South Somerset and East Devon, including Dorchester, Weymouth, Poole, Bournemouth, Yeovil & Taunton.

Fire Risk Assessments for Small Business

We provide fire risk assessments suitable for business premises including offices, shops and small industrial premises across Dorset, Somerset & East Devon. If you have a small business premises you are required by law to have a written fire risk assessment.

To book a fire risk assessment or for more information on our services please enquire now or call Pinks on 01305 237555.

Fire Risk Assessments for Holiday Rentals

We provide fire risk assessments suitable for holidays rentals, including cottages, apartments and Airbnb short term rentals across Dorset, Somerset & East Devon. If you rent your property you are required by law to have a written fire risk assessment.

To book a fire risk assessment or for more information on our services please enquire now or call Pinks on 01305 237555.

Fire Risk Assessments for Blocks of Flats

We provide fire risk assessments suitable for the communal areas of low rise blocks of flats across Dorset, Somerset & East Devon. If you are responsible for a block of flats you are required by law to have a written fire risk assessment.

To book a fire risk assessment or for more information on our services please enquire now or call Pinks on 01305 237555.

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT GUIDANCE

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) is the main piece of legislation governing fire safety in buildings in England and Wales.

The FSO applies to all workplaces and the common parts of buildings containing 2 or more domestic premises. It places legal duties on anyone in control of these premises (the Responsible Person - usually the owner or landlord) to undertake and record a fire risk assessment and put in place and maintain general fire precautions.

The Fire Safety Act 2021 clarified that the external walls, flat entrance doors and structure of buildings are all covered by the FSO and must be accounted for in fire risk assessments.

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 and section 156 of the Building Safety Act Check your fire safety responsibilities under section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 brought in additional duties for Responsible Persons under the Fire Safety Order.

Find out if you’re a Responsible Person under the Fire Safety Order and what responsibilities you may have: People with duties under fire safety laws.

If you have identified that you are a Responsible Person or someone with duties under fire safety legislation the UK government has produced guidance to help you to:

  • understand what you need to do to comply with fire safety law

  • carry out and review a fire risk assessment

  • identify the general fire precautions you need to put in place and maintain

We have provided links to the main guidance below alongside a link the government advice page to help you decide if you can produce your own fire risk assessment or if it is necessary for you to get the help and advice of a company likes Pinks Fire Safety.

  • List of Government Guidance

    The Government provides documents on fire safety law and guidance for those who have a legal duty for fire safety in a relevant building to help them meet those duties.

  • Offices & Shops

    This guide gives advice about completing a fire safety risk assessment for all employers, managers, occupiers and owners of premises where the main use of the building (or part of the building) is an office or shop.

  • Small Guest Accommodation

    How to comply with fire safety law for those responsible for safety in small paying guest accommodation. Larger properties should use the sleeping accommodation guidance.

  • Sleeping Accommodation

    This guide gives advice about sleeping accommodation for staff, common areas for residents and sleeping, dining or other accommodation for guests/residents. This guide is not intended for domestic premises, hospitals, residential care and nursing homes.

  • Small Non-Domestic Premises

    This guide gives simple and practical advice to assist persons with responsibilities for fire safety in in small non-domestic premises that have simple layouts, low fire risk, with limited fire hazards and a small number of employees, customers, and visitors.

  • Fire Risk Assessment Checklist

    If you are competent to complete your own fire risk assessment, the government have produced a checklist to help people responsible for the simplest premises to complete a fire safety risk assessment. If you do not feel confident you should seek advice.

I NEED A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT, WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

To book a fire risk assessment or for more information on our services please enquire now or call Pinks on 01305 237555.

You can also book a free intial consultation with one of our fire risk assessors.

WHY IS FIRE SAFETY SO IMPORTANT?

Fire safety is so important because of the potential threat to life. a fire can start then spread very quickly, with only minutes sometimes for action to be taken to save lives. Property owners have a duty of care to occupiers, workers and visitors at that property this extends to making sure people are safe in the event of a fire. A thorough fire risk assessment is the way in which you as a property owner can demonstrate you have considered the risks and how to minimise them. The risks are the risk of a fire starting, the seriousness of the fire if it starts and the potential threat to life. A fire risk assessment considers how a fire will be detected, how people will be warned of the fire, how people will escape and how the fire spread can be limited to allow time for escape.

We are specialists in fire risk assessments for holiday cottages and small businesses. Pinks Fire Safety are fire safety consultants offering fire risk assessments in Dorset & Somerset, we provide easy to understand reports and advice. Our fire risk assessors are members of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers, a recognition of their training and experience in fire safety. You can rely on our advice to keep you safe and compliant.

Based in Dorset, we complete fire risk assessments for clients across Dorset, Somerset and beyond, including Dorchester, Weymouth, Poole, Bournemouth, Yeovil, Taunton & Salisbury.

FAQs

  • Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 a written fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for all non domestic properties, and some domestic properties.

  • If you let fee paying accommodation, the law requires you to undertake a written fire risk assessment to identify potential fire risks, act on the findings and ensure that fire precautions comply with legislation.

  • You can write your own fire risk assessment, but do remember a fire risk assessment should be carried out by a competent person. If you do not have the in-house expertise, or just don’t feel confident to complete such an important task, our trained assessors are here to help.

    Fire risk assessments are an essential element of fire safety management in the workplace. The process aims to identify potential fire hazards and evaluate the risks associated with them. It also involves implementing measures to eliminate or, at the very least, reduce those risks.

    Conducting fire risk assessments is a must according to the law. If a company fails routine fire risk evaluation by government inspectors, they face hefty fines or closures.

    Here are some tips to keep in mind when conducting a fire risk assessment:

    1. Identify fire hazards on your premises or workplace. This involves identifying the possible source of the fire and the type of fire it can create.

    2. Identify the people who are at risk. This includes employees, visitors, contractors, and anyone else who may be present in the workplace.

    3. Evaluate, improve, and decide on the adequacy of current fire safety measures. This step involves assessing the effectiveness of existing fire safety measures and deciding whether they are adequate or need improvement

    4. Document your findings, create an emergency plan, and educate all involved. This step involves documenting the results of the fire risk assessment, creating an emergency plan, and educating all involved parties on the plan.

    5. Conduct regular reviews of your fire risk assessment.

    Further information is available on our fire risk assessment page, including links to UK government fire safety guides that will help ensure that your workplace is safe from fire hazards and that you are in compliance with the law. If you find you need specialist help please don’t hesitate to contact Pinks and we can work with you to complete an actionable fire safety plan.

  • Yes, we always provide a full written report of our findings, including pictures and recommendations. This will normally be emailed to you within seven working days, often faster.

  • This depends on the size and type of property you have. Prices start at £195.00 plus VAT for a one bedroom holiday flat. The best thing to do is request a quote and we can have a chat for a few minutes to make certain we understand your needs before we quote.

  • Based in Dorset, we complete fire risk assessments for clients across Dorset, Somerset and beyond, including Dorchester, Weymouth, Poole, Bournemouth, Yeovil, Taunton, Sherborne & Salisbury.

    Dorchester Focus - Dorchester is the county town for Dorset and a commercial hub for West Dorset. Dorchester contains a good mix of businesses, all of whom need a fire risk assessment. Pinks provide fire risk assessments in Dorchester, our locally based fire risk assessor is on hand to complete a fire safety review and assessment of your business premises and produce a fire risk assessment report. We provide this service for offices, shops, restaurants and holiday properties in Dorchester. Call Pinks to book or discuss your fire risk assessment needs.

    Poundbury Focus - Poundbury is the later addition to Dorchester’s West side, the Bridport side. Poundbury has a mix of residential properties, many of them apartments, and commercial premises with many small businesses attracted to Poundbury for the amenities, easy parking and modern premises. Pinks provide fire risk assessments in Poundbury, our locally based fire risk assessor is on hand to complete a fire safety review and assessment of your business premises and produce a fire risk assessment report. We provide this service for offices, shops, restaurants and holiday properties in Poundbury. Call Pinks to book or discuss your fire risk assessment needs.

    Weymouth Focus - Weymouth is the largest Dorset settlement outside of the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch conurbation. Tourism is big business in Weymouth with many hotels and holidays cottages offering accommodation for visitors to Weymouth through the summer and beyond. With many Georgian and Victorian buildings, Weymouth has a mixture of commercial and residential properties stretching inland from the world famous Weymouth sea front. Weymouth has many larger old houses converted into flats and it is important that the communal areas all have a regular fire risk assessment. Weymouth also has an expanding industrial area on the Granby Industrial Estate, sandwiched between Weymouth and Chickerell. Pinks provide fire risk assessments in Weymouth and Portland, our locally based fire risk assessor is on hand to complete a fire safety review and assessment of your business premises and produce a fire risk assessment report. We provide this service for offices, shops, restaurants and holiday properties in Weymouth and Portland. Call Pinks to book or discuss your fire risk assessment needs.

    Bournemouth Focus - Bournemouth forms part of the Bournemouth and Poole conurbation, the major settlement in Dorset. Bournemouth is famous for its sandy beach and is a favourite holiday and retirement destinatnation for many who come to Dorset for its mild climate. In addition to many residential properties, Bournemouth has a thriving business community, with a large emphasis on tourism and entertainment. Pinks provide fire risk assessments in Poole and Bournemouth, our locally based fire risk assessor is on hand to complete a fire safety review and assessment of your business premises and produce a fire risk assessment report. We provide this service for offices, shops, restaurants and holiday properties in Bournemouth. Call Pinks to book or discuss your fire risk assessment needs.

    Sherborne Focus - Sherborne is a pretty Dorset market town, the edge of the Blackmore Vale, with many medieval buildings, famous for Sherborne Abbey and it’s private schools, including Sherborne School, setting for the 1969 movie Goodbye Mr Chips. Sherborne serves as the hub for many Dorset villages, mostly in the DT9 postcode area of North Dorset. Pinks provide fire risk assessments in Sherborne, our locally based fire risk assessor is on hand to complete a fire safety review and assessment of your business premises and produce a fire risk assessment report. We provide this service for offices, shops, restaurants and holiday properties in Sherborne and nearby DT9 villages. Call Pinks to book or discuss your fire risk assessment needs.

    Yeovil Focus - Yeovil, the home of the Glovers football team, has expanded since the 1950’s with many large industrial areas on the edges of Yeovil home to major industries such as GKN Westland and small businesses alike. Yeovil business owners need to ensure they have an up to date fire risk assessment which is reviewed regularly. Yeovil is well placed with communication links on the A303, rail to Bristol and many smaller towns and villages around relying on the services provided by businesses in Yeovil. Pinks provide fire risk assessments in Yeovil, our locally based fire risk assessor is on hand to complete a fire safety review and assessment of your business premises and produce a fire risk assessment report. We provide this service for offices, shops, restaurants and holiday properties in Yeovil. Call Pinks to book or discuss your fire risk assessment needs.

    Poole Focus - Poole forms part of the Bournemouth and Poole conurbation, the major settlement in Dorset. In addition to many residential properties, Poole also boasts a thriving business community, from maritime business around Poole Harbour to retail parks and industrial parks. Tower Parks offers excellent leisure facilities to residents of Poole, Bournemouth and the wider Dorset and Hampshire communities. Pinks provide fire risk assessments in Poole and Bournemouth, our locally based fire risk assessor is on hand to complete a fire safety review and assessment of your business premises and produce a fire risk assessment report. We provide this service for offices, shops, restaurants and holiday properties in Poole and Bournemouth. Call Pinks to book or discuss your fire risk assessment needs.

    From our central Dorset base we provide fire risk assessments and advice for properties across Dorset, Somerset and into East Devon, Wiltshire and Hampshire, from Taunton to Southampton and up to Salisbury including Bere Regis, Blandford Forum, Bournemouth, Bridport, Chard, Crewkerne, Christchurch, Dorchester, Ferndown, Glastonbury, Langport, Lyme Regis, Martock, Poole, Ringwood, Salisbury, Shaftesbury, Shepton Mallet, Sherborne, Southampton Sturminster Newton , Verwood, Wells, Weymouth, Wincanton, Yeovil and all of the surroundings smaller towns and villages.

    If your require a fire risk assessment for a business premises that is not within Dorset or Somerset please do get in touch as we might be prepared to travel and help.

Our Service Areas:

We are based in Dorset and complete fire risk assessments for clients across the south west in Dorset, South Somerset and East Devon including Bere Regis, Blandford Forum, Bournemouth, Bridport, Chard, Crewkerne, Christchurch, Dorchester, Exeter, Ferndown, Glastonbury, Langport, Lyme Regis, Martock, Poole, Poundbury, Ringwood, Salisbury, Shaftesbury, Shepton Mallet, Sherborne, Southampton, Sturminster Newton , Verwood, Wells, Weymouth, Wincanton, Yeovil and all of the surrounding smaller towns and villages.

  • My holiday cottage needed a fire risk assessment and Pinks Fire Safety provided me with clear advice.

    Mr T

  • I could not be happier with the team at Pinks Fire Safety. I have no hesitation in recommending their services to anyone who needs fire advice.

    Mrs M

  • I don't normally give reviews, but I was very impressed with how the team at Pinks Fire Safety handled themselves. Their advice was invaluable for my investment property.

    Miss A