Question 1

How often do I need a fire risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

There is no fixed legal interval, but the Fire Safety Order requires your assessment to be kept up to date. As a rule of thumb, review it annually and carry out a fresh assessment every 1–2 years, or sooner after significant changes to the building, its use, or its occupants.

Question 2

Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person for almost any non-domestic premises — and the common parts of residential blocks — must carry out and maintain a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.

Question 3

What is the difference between a Type 1 and Type 4 fire risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

The types refer to how far the assessment looks into a building. Type 1 is the most common, non-destructive review of common parts. Types 2–4 go progressively further, including destructive inspection and sampling of individual flats, and are used where there is reason to look deeper.

Question 4

Do I need a fire strategy as well as a fire risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

Not always. A fire risk assessment evaluates an existing building in use. A fire strategy is a design document for new builds, change-of-use, or complex buildings, setting out the fire safety principles to support planning and Building Regulations. We can advise which you need.

Question 5

Who is the 'Responsible Person'?

Accepted Answer

It is whoever has control of the premises — typically the employer, building owner, landlord, or managing agent. The Responsible Person carries the legal duty to manage fire safety and act on the assessment's findings.

Question 6

How quickly can you carry out an assessment?

Accepted Answer

We aim to be responsive and will agree a timescale with you up front, prioritising urgent or enforcement-driven work. Get in touch with your requirements and we'll confirm availability.

Question 7

Do you cover health & safety as well as fire?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Alongside fire safety we provide general health & safety risk assessments, audits, RAMS, policies, and competent person support — so you can manage both through one consultancy.

Question 8

What areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

We are based in London and cover London and the Home Counties (Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire) as standard, with wider UK coverage available by arrangement for larger projects and portfolios.

Compliance questions, answered

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