Your Legal Obligations as a Business
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, every non-domestic premises in England and Wales must have a suitable fire detection and warning system. The responsible person - typically the employer, owner, or occupier - is legally accountable for ensuring compliance.
The responsible person — typically the employer, owner, or occupier — is legally accountable. Failure to have a current fire risk assessment can result in prosecution, unlimited fines, and in serious cases, imprisonment.
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Who is the Responsible Person?
In a workplace, this is usually the employer. In a shared building, it may be the landlord or managing agent. In a licensed premises, it is the licence holder.
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When Must it Be Reviewed?
A fire risk assessment must be reviewed regularly and immediately following any significant change — such as a change of use, structural alterations, or a change of responsible person.
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What if You Don't Have One?
Operating without a current fire risk assessment leaves you exposed to enforcement action from the Fire and Rescue Authority, invalidated insurance, and personal liability in the event of a fire.
Do You Need a Fire Risk Assessment?
If any of the following apply to your property, a fire risk assessment is a legal requirement:
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Commercial Premises
Any building where people work, including offices, workshops, and studios.
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Retail Units
Shops, showrooms, and any premises open to members of the public.
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Warehouses & Industrial
Storage facilities, distribution centres, and manufacturing premises.
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Hospitality Venues
Hotels, restaurants, pubs, cafes, and leisure facilities.
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Schools & Education Buildings
All educational premises from nurseries through to universities.
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Care Homes & Healthcare
Any premises providing residential care or healthcare services.
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HMOs & Residential Blocks
Houses in multiple occupation and blocks of flats with communal areas.
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Places of Worhship
Churches, mosques, temples, and other community gathering spaces.
What Our Fire Risk Assessment Covers
A GMSE fire risk assessment is a thorough, documented inspection of your premises carried out by a BAFE-accredited assessor. We assess every aspect of your fire safety arrangements and provide a detailed written report with a clear action plan.
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Fire Hazard Identification
We identify all potential sources of ignition, fuel, and oxygen within your premises that could start or spread a fire.
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People at Risk
We assess who is at risk — employees, visitors, contractors, and any vulnerable individuals who may need assistance evacuating.
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Existing Fire Safety Measures
We review your current detection systems, emergency lighting, escape routes, signage, extinguishers, and staff training arrangements.
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Evaluation of Risk
We evaluate the likelihood and potential consequences of a fire, taking into account your building type, occupancy, and activities carried out on site.
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Recommendations Report
We produce a clear written report identifying any shortfalls in your current arrangements and what needs to be addressed to achieve compliance.
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Prioritised Action Plan
Recommendations are prioritised by risk level — critical actions are clearly identified so you know exactly what needs addressing first.
What You'll Receive
Every GMSE fire risk assessment results in a clear, professional written report. This isn't a tick-box exercise — it's a practical document you can act on and present to insurers, regulators, and local authorities with confidence.
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Written Assessment Report
A full documented report covering every aspect of your fire safety arrangements — hazards identified, people at risk, existing measures reviewed, and overall risk evaluation.
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Prioritised Action Plan
A clear list of recommended actions, prioritised by risk level. Critical items are clearly flagged so you know exactly what needs addressing first.
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Compliance Evidence
A BAFE-accredited assessment report provides independently verified evidence of compliance — essential for insurers, auditors, and the Fire and Rescue Authority.
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Review Guidance
Clear advice on when your assessment should be reviewed, what triggers an immediate review, and how GMSE can support ongoing compliance.
When Must Your Fire Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?
A fire risk assessment is not a one-off exercise. It must be kept under regular review and updated whenever there is reason to believe it is no longer valid.
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Change of Use
If the building changes from offices to a warehouse, or a new activity introduces additional fire risks, the assessment must be reviewed immediately.
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Structural Alterations
Any building works, new partitions, changed escape routes, or alterations to fire safety systems require an immediate review.
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Change of Responsible Person
When ownership, tenancy, or management changes, the incoming responsible person should commission a fresh assessment.
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Significant Incident
Following any fire, near miss, or activation of the fire alarm system, the assessment should be reviewed to identify any gaps.
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Regular Review
Even without any of the above triggers, best practice is to review your assessment at least every twelve months.
Why Choose a BAFE-Accredited Assessor?
Not all fire risk assessments are equal. Anyone can carry out a fire risk assessment, but only independently certified assessors can provide the verified standard of competence that insurers and regulators increasingly require.
Independently Verified Competence BAFE accreditation is not self-awarded. Our assessors are independently assessed and regularly audited against a nationally recognised standard — giving you confidence that the assessment is thorough and credible.
Insurance & Regulatory Acceptance Many insurers and local authorities specifically require or prefer assessments carried out by BAFE-accredited companies. Our reports are accepted as evidence of compliance by insurers, Fire and Rescue Authorities, and local councils.
Accountability & Traceability A BAFE-accredited assessment is fully documented and traceable. If your compliance is ever challenged, you have independently verified evidence to present.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes — under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for all non-domestic premises in England and Wales. This includes offices, shops, warehouses, schools, care homes, HMOs, and any premises where people work or visit.
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Technically yes, provided you are competent to do so. However, most businesses use a professional assessor to ensure the assessment is thorough, documented correctly, and accepted by insurers and regulators. A BAFE-accredited assessment provides independently verified evidence of compliance.
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This depends on the size and complexity of your premises. A small office or retail unit may take two to three hours. Larger or more complex buildings such as warehouses, schools, or care homes may take a full day or more.
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Cost varies depending on the size and type of premises. We provide a fixed quote following an initial discussion about your property. Contact us for a no-obligation quote.
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Fire risk assessments are a legal requirement for non-domestic premises only. However, landlords of HMOs and larger residential blocks do require one. Homeowners do not have a legal obligation but may benefit from a professional fire safety review.
Book Your Fire Risk Assessment Today
Our BAFE-accredited assessors cover Kent, London & East Sussex. We'll visit your premises, carry out a thorough assessment, and provide a clear written report with a prioritised action plan — with no obligation to proceed.
Or call us on 01580 467070