Do you own or manage a residential property with communal areas? If so, you have a responsibility to conduct a Fire Risk Assessment as per UK law to ensure the safety of all occupants.
This blog will discuss everything you need to know about fire risk assessments for communal areas in residential premises, including:
- What is a communal area in the context of fire risk assessments?
- Does your property require a fire risk assessment?
- Who is responsible for conducting fire risk assessments for flats and communal areas?
- What does a fire risk assessment entail?
- How regularly fire risk assessments must be conducted for commmunal areas
- How to book a fire risk assessment for your communal area/property
- The legal ramifications of failing to complete a fire risk assessment.
What is a communal area for fire risk assessments?
A communal area in residential flats refers to a shared space within a building or property that is used by multiple individuals or occupants.
It is a space where people gather or pass through, such as corridors, stairwells, lobbies, entrance halls, common rooms, or shared facilities like kitchens, laundry rooms, or recreation areas.
Different types of communal areas include:
- Corridors
- Stairwells
- Common rooms
- Shared Kitchens
- Laundry rooms
- Entrances and exits
- Parking areas
- Storage areas
- Outdoor spaces
These areas require a communal area fire risk assessment to find and address possible fire dangers, making sure occupants can evacuate safely and follow rules clearly.
When is a fire risk assessment required for flats?
You might be wondering: do all flats need a fire risk assessment?
Are you a property manager or property owner where your property has multiple people who aren’t part of the same family unit living there?
If your answer is yes, then yes, you are legally obligated to have a fire risk assessment. This is to protect people from fire risks and prevent a fire.
The law says that the responsibility for fire safety in the shared parts of a building is the ‘responsible person’. In blocks of flats, this is usually the freeholder or management company.
Regular fire risk assessments for flats are essential for compliance and the safety of all residents.
Who is responsible for completing a fire risk assessment ?
So, who can conduct a fire risk assessment?
Fire risk assessments must be performed by someone who is competent and qualified, and the level of competency required depends on the potential risk level of the premises.
In some cases, fire risk assessments may be conducted by the property owner, a representative from a residents’ management company, or a managing agent, depending on the risk of the building.
However, many people prefer to contract a qualified and experienced fire risk assessor to make sure all fire safety measures meet the legal requirements.
Want to determine how competent an assessor is? The NFCC have a guide to help you.
What does a fire risk assessor look for?
A comprehensive fire risk assessment includes factors such as:
The presence of flammable materials in a communal area
The condition of fire doors
The availability and accessibility of firefighting equipment
The evacuation strategy of the building
The provision of emergency lighting provisions
The effectiveness of fire alarm systems
The purpose of assessing communal areas is to ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are in place to minimise the risk of fire, facilitate safe evacuation, and protect the occupants and the property in the event of a fire emergency.
What is the cost of a fire risk assessment for communal areas?
We offer a transparent pricing structure, with no hidden costs! Our prices start from £400 +VAT and are fixed, depending on the size of your communal area.
Check out our cost page for more information on our pricing structure.
Want us to conduct a fire risk assessment for your communal area? Get a free quote today and book your assessment appointment.
Your report will be provided 7-10 working days from the date of the payment.
How regularly do fire risk assessments need to be conducted in communal areas?
UK fire safety law states that a full assessment of communal areas must be reviewed regularly and must be arranged by a responsible person.
This is to ensure the communal areas meet legal safety standards.
Fire risk assessments need to be reviewed when changes have been made, such as:
- Additional vulnerable people using the area
- A recent fire
- Extension ofd the communal area
- Lost, stolen or damaged fire safety equipment
- A rearrangement of furniture which may impact escape routes
What happens if a communal area doesn’t have a fire risk assessment?
If a communal area in residential flats goes without a fire risk assessment, it can create a serious risk to occupant safety and legal compliance.
In England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005), states that all communal areas in residential properties must have regular fire risk assessments.
Failure to comply can result in a fine, or in some cases, a prison sentence.
Fire risk assessment for flats – FAQs
What is a fire risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment evaluates a building to identify potential fire hazards, especially in communal areas like hallways and lobbies.
A professional fire risk assessor will check emergency exits, fire alarms, and flammable materials to make sure there are safe escape routes for occupants in case of a fire.
How many steps make up a fire safety risk assessment?
The fire risk assessment process involves five key steps:
- Identify any potential fire hazards
- Identify people or occupants at risk
- Evaluate and implement measures to reduce risks
- Record, plan, and train
- Review your assessment regularly
These steps help ensure a complete approach to fire safety on most types of premises. For more information, read our guide on the 5 steps of a fire risk assessment!
How do I get a fire safety assessment for my communal areas?
With transparent pricing starting at £400 +VAT and no hidden fees, we provide comprehensive and professional fire risk evaluations for communal areas.
You’ll receive a follow-up report in 7-10 days, and we offer expert advice and support at every step.
If you need a fire risk assessment for the communal area of flats, contact us at Fire Risk Assessments for a FREE quote today.
Don’t wait for disaster to strike – protect your occupants and property with FireRiskAssessments.com!