Fire Safety Business FAQ
General Fire Safety & Your Role as the Responsible Person (RP)
Q1: What is the 'Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005' and what does it mean for my business?
A: The RRFSO is the central piece of fire safety legislation for all non-domestic premises in England and Wales. It places the legal responsibility for fire safety on a designated 'Responsible Person' (RP). Your primary duty is to ensure the safety of all "relevant persons"—meaning anyone who might be on your premises—by carrying out a fire risk assessment and implementing appropriate fire safety measures. This applies to all commercial properties, including offices, shops, warehouses, factories, and schools.
Q2: Who is the 'Responsible Person' for a commercial business?
A: The Responsible Person is typically the employer, owner, or occupier of the premises. If there are multiple RPs in a building (e.g., a shared office space or a building with both commercial and residential units), all RPs have a duty to cooperate and coordinate their fire safety efforts to ensure everyone's safety.
Q3: How often does a business need a Fire Risk Assessment?
A: The law requires your Fire Risk Assessment to be reviewed "regularly" to ensure it remains valid and up to date. While there isn't a fixed legal timeframe, we strongly recommend a full review at least every 12 months for most premises. An immediate review is required if there are any significant changes to the building, its use, its occupancy, or its fire safety systems.
Q4: What types of premises do you provide fire safety services for?
A: We provide comprehensive fire safety services for a wide range of premises, including:
Multi-occupied Residential Buildings: Blocks of flats, high-rise towers, and residential care homes.
Commercial Premises: Offices, retail stores, warehouses, factories, and industrial units.
Hospitality and Leisure: Hotels, restaurants, pubs, and community centers.
Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges.
Services & Pricing for Commercial Premises
Q5: What is the cost of a Fire Risk Assessment for a commercial business? A: Indicative Pricing: The cost of a commercial Fire Risk Assessment depends heavily on the size, complexity, and use of the premises.
Small, Low-Risk Premises (e.g., small office, cafe, single shop): Starting from £350 + VAT.
Medium-Sized Premises (e.g., multi-story office building, large retail store): Starting from £600 + VAT.
Large or Complex Premises (e.g., large warehouse, factory, high-occupancy venue): Starting from £1,200 + VAT. All our assessments are conducted by certified professionals and are provided as a full, legally compliant report that you can present to your enforcing authority.
Q6: Do you offer fire safety training for my employees? A: Yes, providing proper fire safety training is a core legal duty for the RP. We offer a range of training services, including:
General Fire Safety Awareness: For all employees.
Fire Warden / Fire Marshal Training: For designated staff who assist in an emergency.
Practical Fire Extinguisher Training: Hands-on training on how to safely and effectively use different types of fire extinguishers.
Q7: What is the cost of your fire safety training services? A: Indicative Pricing: Pricing is generally based on the number of people to be trained and the duration of the course.
Online/Virtual Training (per person): Starting from £50.
In-Person Fire Warden Training (for a group of up to 12): Starting from £500.
Practical Extinguisher Training (for a group of up to 12): Starting from £750 per session.
We can also create bespoke training packages to meet the specific risks of your premises and the needs of your team.
Services & Pricing for Multi-Occupied Residential Premises
Q8: What new fire safety duties do I have for my block of flats?
A: In addition to the standard RRFSO duties, you are now subject to the expanded scope of the Fire Safety Act 2021 and the specific requirements of the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. This includes:
Ensuring your Fire Risk Assessment covers the external walls and flat entrance doors.
Conducting mandatory periodic checks on communal fire doors (quarterly) and flat entrance doors (annually).
Providing residents with fire safety information as per Article 21A of the RRFSO.
Q9: How much does a Fire Risk Assessment cost for a block of flats?
A: Indicative Pricing: The cost is based on the building's size and complexity.
Small Blocks (2-4 flats, low-rise): Starting from £450.
Medium Blocks (5-15 flats, up to 18m): Starting from £650.
High-Rise Buildings (over 18m): Starting from £1,500 (due to the added complexity of assessing external walls and building systems).
Q10: What is the cost for fire door inspections in my residential building?
A: Indicative Pricing: Pricing is based on the number of doors to be inspected.
Periodic Inspection Package (e.g., quarterly for communal doors, annually for flat doors): Starting from £150 per quarter, depending on the number of doors.
Individual Fire Door Inspection (with full report): Starting from £25 per door.
Ongoing Fire Safety Support
Q11: Do you offer long-term support for fire safety compliance?
A: Yes. We offer bespoke retainer packages to ensure your building or business remains compliant year after year. These can include:
Regular FRA reviews.
Scheduled fire door inspections.
On-site fire warden training updates.
Acting as a 'competent person' to advise you on fire safety matters.
Fire Safety for Short-Term & Holiday Lets (Airbnb)
Q1: Do the same fire safety laws for businesses and landlords apply to my Airbnb or short-term let?
A: Yes, absolutely. As of 1 October 2023, amendments made under Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 made it a legal requirement for anyone owning a short-term let property in England and Wales to have a written Fire Risk Assessment. This is a significant change, as it brings these properties in line with the fire safety standards for hotels and guesthouses. If you do not have a written FRA, you cannot legally accept paying guests.
Q2: What are the key fire safety requirements for an Airbnb or holiday let?
A: Your property must have a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment. This assessment must identify potential hazards and the people at risk (i.e., your guests). Based on the findings, you must implement measures that include:
Fire Detection Systems: Interlinked, hard-wired smoke alarms in all bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen.
Means of Escape: Ensure all exit doors are easy to open from the inside without a key (e.g., with a thumb-turn lock). Escape routes must be clear and unobstructed.
Firefighting Equipment: While guests aren't expected to fight a fire, we recommend providing a fire blanket in the kitchen and a small multi-purpose fire extinguisher in an accessible location.
Guest Information: Provide guests with a clear, simple fire safety notice that includes an escape plan, the location of exits, the assembly point, and instructions on how to raise the alarm.
Q3: Can I complete the Fire Risk Assessment myself?
A: The law states the RP can conduct the FRA if they are "competent" to do so. However, given the serious legal and financial penalties for non-compliance, and the complexity of assessing risks in a property with a transient occupancy, we strongly recommend hiring a professional. A competent fire risk assessor has the necessary expertise to ensure your property is compliant with all current legislation and government guidance.
Q4: What is the cost of a Fire Risk Assessment for a short-term let property?
A: Indicative Pricing: The cost for a short-term let FRA is typically based on the size and complexity of the property.
Standard 1-2 Bedroom Flat or Small House: Starting from £250.
Larger Houses or More Complex Properties: Starting from £400.
Our service includes a full, written report detailing your property's compliance, an action plan for any necessary improvements, and a template for the guest-facing fire safety information.touch.