OFFICES, SHOPS & COMMERCIAL PREMISES
Is my business legally required to have a fire risk assessment?
Fire risk assessments for offices, shops and commercial premises across Bristol and Bath, covering the full written record the law now requires.
Who needs a fire risk assessment for a commercial building?
Anyone responsible for a workplace, shop, office or other non-domestic premises must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. That includes employers, business owners, and anyone who controls the building, whatever the size of the business.
Does a small business still need a written record?
Yes. Since 1 October 2023, every responsible person must record the full assessment in writing, however small the premises. The old exemption for employers with fewer than five staff no longer applies. The record must also name the person who carried it out, and their organisation if it was an outside firm.
Do I need a plan for staff or visitors who can’t evacuate unaided?
Yes, if anyone who works in or regularly visits the building would need help evacuating. The Fire Safety Order requires a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan, a PEEP, for each person who needs one, covering how they’ll be alerted, how they’ll reach safety, and who’s responsible for assisting them. It applies to employees and regular visitors, not just people already known to have a disability.
How often should a business fire risk assessment be reviewed?
The assessment must be kept under review, with no fixed expiry date. The most common triggers are a change of layout, a change in staff numbers, a refit, or reaching the point most businesses treat as their annual review. An out-of-date assessment is treated the same as no assessment at all.
What happens if a business doesn’t comply?
A breach of the Fire Safety Order is a criminal offence. In practice, enforcement usually starts with informal advice, then a formal notice giving time to put things right. If that’s ignored, the fine on conviction is unlimited, and for serious breaches the courts can impose up to two years’ imprisonment.
Frequently asked questions
Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement for my business?
Yes, for any non-domestic premises. It’s a legal duty under the Fire Safety Order, not something that depends on the size or type of business.
Do I need a PEEP if I don’t currently have any disabled staff or visitors?
The duty applies as soon as someone who needs one is present, whether that’s a new employee or a one-off visitor. It’s worth having a process ready rather than starting from scratch when it’s needed.
Can I write the assessment myself?
The law allows it, if it’s suitable and sufficient and you’re competent to do it. For offices and shops with straightforward layouts, some businesses do. For anything more complex, most bring in an assessor.
What counts as a written record now?
A full record of the assessment, not just a summary of significant findings. Since October 2023, a brief note is no longer enough, whatever the size of the business.
ENQUIRY
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Offices, shops and commercial premises across Bristol and Bath — share a few details and we’ll get back to you about an assessment.
BRISTOL & BATH