Tailored Fire Risk Assessments for Offices and Retail

Legal responsibilities for fire safety in offices and retail

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which applies in England and Wales, managers of office and retail spaces are legally responsible for fire safety. They must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is in place, carried out by a competent person with relevant experience, and that appropriate fire safety measures are maintained. Premises in Scotland and Northern Ireland are subject to separate but equivalent legislation.

Our step-by-step fire risk assessment process

Our comprehensive approach covers five key areas:

• Identifying fire hazards: Locating potential sources of ignition, fuel, and oxygen across office workspaces, retail floors, and storage areas.
• Risk evaluation: Determining the likelihood of a fire occurring and its potential impact, focusing on high-risk areas and the people who use the premises.
• Reviewing prevention measures: Assessing what is currently in place to prevent fire from starting and identifying where improvements are needed.
• Reviewing protection measures: Assessing existing fire detection, suppression, compartmentation, and escape route arrangements against the required standard, and making recommendations where provisions fall short.
• Reviewing fire safety management: Assessing how fire safety is managed day-to-day, including whether staff training is being undertaken and logged, and whether drills are being conducted and recorded at an appropriate frequency.

What’s included after your assessment

Where the assessment identifies the need, we provide an emergency plan template and a fire safety policy template as part of your report.

We also include access to online basic fire safety training at no additional cost. Once your assessment is complete, your employees can complete this training to ensure they understand their responsibilities in the event of a fire. This is included in the price of every fire risk assessment we carry out and is not something offered as standard by other providers.

Essential fire safety measures for offices and retail

Following the assessment, we review existing provisions and make recommendations based on current guidance to ensure the premises meets the required standard. This typically covers:

1. Fire detection systems: Reviewing existing alarm and detection provisions to ensure they meet the minimum required standard for the type and size of premises.
2. Clear evacuation routes: Checking that escape routes are clearly defined, unobstructed, and accessible for all employees and customers.
3. Fire safety signage: Reviewing existing signage and emergency exit indicators to confirm they are visible, correctly positioned, and compliant.
4. Staff fire safety training: Ensuring that regular fire safety training is being undertaken and logged, covering procedures and the use of fire safety equipment.
5. Fire drills: Ensuring drills are being conducted and logged to demonstrate ongoing preparedness.
6. Fire safety equipment: Reviewing the type, location, and condition of fire extinguishers and other equipment to ensure suitability and accessibility across the premises.

Training and preparedness in fire safety

Office and retail staff must be familiar with the building layout, understand fire risks, and know how to respond during an emergency. As part of our assessment, we review whether fire safety training is being carried out and properly recorded, and whether evacuation drills are taking place at an appropriate frequency. Where gaps are identified, our report will include specific recommendations. If your business requires formal fire warden training, we can help with that separately.

How often should an office or retail fire risk assessment be updated?

Regular updates to fire risk assessments are crucial in office and retail settings, but the frequency depends on the nature of the premises and how well risks are managed. In practice, a new fire risk assessment must be done following:

• A significant change in layout, use of space, or occupancy levels.
• A refurbishment or change to the fabric of the building.
• A fire incident or near miss on the premises.

In addition to the above, the following circumstances warrant a fire risk assessment, and one should be considered after:

• A change in the responsible person or management structure.
• Deterioration of fire safety equipment or escape routes.
• High staff turnover or change of occupants.

For higher-risk premises, our assessor will typically recommend a new fire risk assessment annually. Where a premises is well managed and risks are well controlled, the assessor may advise a biennial fire risk assessment alongside an internal review by the management team in the intervening year.

Office fire risk assessment FAQs

Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement for offices and retail premises?

Yes. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, any office or retail premises in England and Wales that employs staff or is open to members of the public must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment in place. The responsible person, typically the employer, building owner, or occupier, is legally accountable for ensuring this is the case.

Who is responsible for fire safety in a rented office or retail unit?

In rented premises, responsibility is typically split between the landlord and the tenant depending on the terms of the lease. The landlord is usually responsible for shared and common areas, while the tenant is responsible for their own occupied space. Both parties may require separate fire risk assessments. Our legal requirements page covers the responsibilities of each party in more detail.

What are the most common fire hazards in offices and retail premises?

In offices, frequently identified hazards include overloaded electrical sockets and extension leads, poorly managed paper and combustible storage, and inadequately maintained electrical equipment. In retail premises, common hazards include dense stock storage, flammable display materials, and obstructed or poorly marked escape routes. Our assessors are experienced in identifying hazards specific to each type of environment.

Who can carry out a fire risk assessment for an office or retail premises?

The assessment must be carried out by a competent person with relevant experience in fire safety. As a BAFE certified company, we are required to ensure all our assessors hold the relevant skills, knowledge, and experience for the type of premises they assess. The majority of our assessors operate at an intermediate or advanced level. We hold BAFE certification, audited by SSAIB, and are members of the Fire Protection Association (FPA). View our certifications for more detail.

How much does a fire risk assessment cost for an office or retail premises?

The cost depends on the size of the premises, the number of floors, and the complexity of the layout. We provide transparent, fixed-fee quotes with no hidden charges. See our fire risk assessment cost page for typical pricing or use the form on this page to request a free quote.

Covering offices and retail premises across England and Wales

We carry out fire risk assessments for offices and retail premises across England and Wales. Whether you manage a small high street shop, a large retail unit, a single-floor office, or a multi-tenancy commercial building, our assessors are available to visit your premises and deliver a compliant, sector-specific assessment. Visit our locations page or request a quote to confirm availability in your area.

Why choose us for your office and retail fire risk assessment

Our experience and specialised approach in assessing fire risks in offices and retail buildings make us the ideal partner for your fire safety needs. Here is what sets us apart:

• Sector experience: Our assessors have worked across a wide range of office and retail environments, from small independent shops to large multi-floor commercial buildings.
• BAFE certified: We hold BAFE certification, with SSAIB as our auditing body, and are members of the Fire Protection Association. View our certifications.
• Reports that stand up to scrutiny: Our assessments are written to withstand review by Local Fire Authorities and insurers, with clear priority ratings and actionable recommendations.
• Reports within 7-10 working days: Delivered promptly with a clear action plan so you can move quickly on any required improvements. Need results quickly? Fast-track service is available for an additional fee and will deliver reports within 2-3 working days.
• 750+ verified reviews: Feedback from office managers, retail operators, and facilities teams across England and Wales.

Ensure the safety of your office or retail space with our expert fire risk assessments. Contact us today for a bespoke fire safety solution.