Fire Risk Assessments for Commercial Premises

Here at Lanahan Risk Management Services, we aim to clarify the fire risk assessment process for commercial property owners, helping you to conduct them more effectively and feel confident knowing you have done everything to protect your employees and visitors.

Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement for commercial premises?

Yes, in England and Wales it is a legal requirement to conduct fire risk assessments for commercial premises under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (and in Scotland under the Fire Act 2005 and the associated Fire Safety Regulations 2006).

No matter what kind of commercial premises you own, whether it is for leisure or trade purposes, it is essential everyone on your property is kept safe in the event of an unforeseen accident. 

How fire risk assessments for commercial premises work

Fire risk assessments for commercial premises involve a thorough assessment of the property in order to identify any potential fire hazards and the level of risk associated with these hazards.

Your fire risk assessment must always be conducted by a competent person appointed by the responsible person, and will include 5 key steps:

1. Identifying any fire hazards - The first step involves identifying any potential fire hazards and combustibles in the commercial premises.

2. Understanding who is at risk - Fire can pose a greater threat to certain types of people, especially those who are elderly or have disabilities. This is why it is vital you take the time to identify who is at risk and outline the measures that need to be put in place to support them.

3. Evaluate, reduce and protect from risk - Assess the risk levels and consider how likely a fire is to happen. Then, we aim to reduce or remove fire hazards and implement fire safety measures (extinguishers, escape routes, etc) and provide materials to prevent fire spread.

4. Record, plan and train - Training is an essential part of your fire risk assessment and you should be creating a plan for yourself, other owners and staff members on how to act in the event of a fire.

5. Regularly review - Once you have created your fire risk assessment, you will need to regularly review it in order to identify any changes in the risks. If any risks are identified, you can then spend the time to update your procedures accordingly.

For information on each step in a fire risk assessment, you can read our full guide on fire safety risk assessment checklists.

How often should commercial premises have a fire risk assessment?

Although the law does not outline a specific time frame in which a commercial premises should conduct a fire risk assessment, we highly suggest that you conduct one at least once a year or whenever there has been significant changes to the property.

Significant changes to the property can include:

  • Changing the premises layout
  • Building an extension
  • There has been a fire in the past
  • Fire safety equipment has been damaged, stolen, used or upgraded


Who is responsible for conducting a fire risk assessment in a commercial building?


It is the responsibility of the owner, employer or landlord to conduct a fire risk assessment in a commercial building. They can conduct the risk assessment themselves or enlist the help of a competent person, but they will always be considered the ‘responsible person.

To be the responsible person for your commercial property, you do not need specific training or experience to hold the role. However, you are legally required to ensure that the fire risk assessment is carried out by someone competent, whether that is you or someone else with the necessary training, qualifications, or experience.


Commercial fire risk assessments by Lanahan Risk Management Services

For many commercial property owners and managers, conducting a fire risk assessment is often something that they cannot fit into their busy schedule. This is where our team at Lanahan Risk Management Services can help with our fire risk assessment services.

Our team has a wealth of knowledge helping commercial property owners complete their fire risk assessment, as well as providing actionable steps to improve the safety of every employee and visitor at the property.

We can help to simplify the fire risk assessment process by explaining all the fire safety regulations that you are required to follow, while also ensuring you are fully compliant and your property is safe. 

What happens after a commercial fire risk assessment?

After a fire risk assessment has been conducted at your commercial property, there will be a written record of everything that has been discovered during the risk assessment. This will go into a fire risk assessment report.

The report will outline the specific actions and measures needed to prevent fires and keep people safe, provide a summary of the key risks identified, and detail the steps required to mitigate them, along with an action plan to address these effectively

You will need to consistently review and update your fire risk assessment once a year, especially if there have been significant changes to your commercial property.

Do you need to carry out a commercial fire risk assessment for an empty building?

Yes, you should still carry out a fire risk assessment for empty buildings since the same legal obligations apply for an empty building as an occupied one.

Empty buildings are at risk of a fire because of the lack of activity, checks and active presence on the site. This can allow problems to develop out of control and increase the risk of a fire through the likes of arson or pests chewing electrical wiring. 

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