Fire Risk Assessment Enquiries in London
Request a fire risk assessment for a London workplace, shop, office, HMO, communal area, hospitality venue, managed building or public-facing premises. Send the property use, occupancy, layout, escape-route, access and deadline details so the correct assessment route can be confirmed.
Give the assessor an accurate picture of the premises
A postcode alone is not enough. The assessment boundary, people using the building and existing precautions determine what needs to be reviewed.
Building and use
Give the full address, premises type, number of floors and units, business or residential use, opening hours and whether any part provides sleeping accommodation.
People who may be at risk
Describe staff, residents, customers, contractors and visitors, including anyone who may need assistance to recognise an alarm or use the escape route.
Layout and access
Explain entrances, final exits, stairs, basements, common corridors, locked or controlled areas, roof or plant access and the person who can open every relevant space.
Records and deadline
Attach the previous assessment, floor plans, action log and available alarm, emergency-lighting or fire-door records. State what changed and who requested the new report.
Who needs to arrange the assessment?
GOV.UK identifies the person with fire-safety responsibility as the responsible person. Depending on the premises, this can be an employer, owner, landlord, occupier or another person with control, such as a facilities manager, building manager or managing agent.
Where several parties control different parts of a shared building, their responsibilities should be explained before the visit. A shop beneath flats, a managed block with communal areas and an HMO can each have a different assessment boundary.
What the review needs to establish
Fire hazards
Identify relevant ignition, fuel and oxygen sources and the controls already used to prevent a fire.
People at risk
Consider everyone lawfully on or near the premises, including people who may need additional help.
Existing precautions
Review escape, warning, lighting, compartmentation, firefighting equipment and management arrangements against the actual risks.
Findings and actions
Record significant findings, priorities and the practical actions needed, then keep the assessment under review.
Important: the assessment is not a substitute for every specialist system test. Fire alarm servicing, smoke alarm checks, emergency lighting testing and remedial work may need separate scopes and records.
Match the enquiry to the building
Shops, offices and workplaces
Describe work activities, staff and visitor numbers, opening hours, storage, plant, public access and any shared landlord-controlled areas.
HMOs and communal residential areas
Send the HMO or block layout, occupancy, common parts, shared escape route, alarm arrangements, licence wording and managing responsibility.
Hospitality and sleeping accommodation
Explain bedrooms or guest areas, kitchens, late opening, staff and public areas, overnight occupancy and how unfamiliar visitors leave the premises.
Managed and mixed-use buildings
Identify each use, responsible party, tenant boundary, common entrance, plant area, contractor access rule and any previous assessment covering only part of the building.
Prepare before an appointment is confirmed
- Send the premises brief. Include the address, use, floors, occupancy, responsible-person contact and report deadline.
- Share existing evidence. Attach the previous assessment, plans, action log and relevant fire-system records.
- Confirm complete access. Arrange keys, tenants, reception, alarms and entry to all areas inside the agreed assessment boundary.
Fire Risk Assessment FAQs
Who is responsible for arranging a fire risk assessment?
For a workplace or other non-domestic premises, the responsible person can be an employer, owner, landlord, occupier or another person with control, such as a facilities manager or managing agent. Shared premises may have more than one responsible person, so tell us who controls each part of the building.
Does a fire risk assessment produce a certificate?
The main deliverable is normally a recorded fire risk assessment with significant findings and actions, rather than a simple pass certificate. Explain what evidence your insurer, landlord, council, client or compliance file has requested so the expected report scope can be confirmed before booking.
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
There is no single annual interval that suits every premises. GOV.UK guidance says the assessment should be reviewed regularly and updated when it may no longer be valid, including after significant building, occupancy, process or fire-safety changes. Send the previous assessment date and describe what has changed.
What details should I send before requesting an assessment?
Send the full address and postcode, premises use, floor and occupancy details, sleeping accommodation where relevant, vulnerable occupants, escape routes, opening hours, access contact, existing assessment and plans, recent alterations and the deadline for the report.
Does the assessment include fire alarm and emergency lighting testing?
A fire risk assessment considers whether fire precautions appear suitable for the premises, but detailed fire alarm servicing, smoke alarm checks and emergency lighting tests are separate technical services. Send the system type and the exact record requested so any additional visit can be routed correctly.
Can I request a fire risk assessment for an HMO or residential block?
Yes. For an HMO, converted building or block of flats, explain the common areas, number of storeys and units, occupancy, shared escape route, alarm and emergency-lighting arrangements, licence or council wording and who controls the communal parts. The assessment boundary must match the actual building responsibilities.
Send the building, occupancy and access details
We will review the requested scope and confirm the suitable assessment route by phone or email.