Site inspection
A walk of the whole premises, including plant rooms, roof voids and back-of-house areas where problems tend to hide.
Fire risk assessments
Your fire risk assessment, done properly and costed
For employers, landlords and managing agents who need a fire risk assessment they can rely on. You get a documented assessment and a priced plan for every action.
A fire risk assessment is the legal starting point for fire safety in any workplace or non-domestic building in England and Wales. If you are the Responsible Person, you must have one, keep it current and act on what it finds. Ours is carried out on site, documented in full and reviewed when the building or its use changes.
The usual problem is what happens after the report. Many assessments end with a long list of actions and no idea what they cost or who will do them, so the list sits in a drawer until the next inspection. We price each action alongside the assessment, so you can see what needs doing, in what order and for how much.
Why 3S
- One contract, one point of contact
- A plan within 48 hours
- Photo-verified sign-off against the spec
- Funding available on the work
Fire risk assessments
What a fire risk assessment from 3S covers
Hazards and people at risk
Sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen identified, along with who is at risk, including lone workers, visitors and anyone who needs help to escape.
Means of escape
Escape routes, travel distances, final exits, signage and emergency lighting checked against how the building is used.
Detection and warning
The fire alarm system reviewed for coverage and servicing against BS 5839-1.
Fire doors and compartmentation
Doors, fire stopping and service penetrations checked for anything that would let fire and smoke spread.
Management arrangements
Training, drills, testing records, evacuation plans and the fire logbook reviewed.
Prioritised action plan
Each finding rated by risk, with a clear timescale for putting it right.
Costed remediation
Every action specified and priced, so the plan can be approved and scheduled.
Review date
A recommended review date, plus a reminder to review sooner if the building or its use changes.
What the law says about a fire risk assessment
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which applies in England and Wales, the Responsible Person must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the fire risks and put in place the measures it identifies. Keep the full assessment in writing, including who carried it out. Since October 2023 that has been a legal requirement for all premises in England, and it is good practice everywhere.
The law does not set a fixed review interval. It must be reviewed regularly and whenever there is reason to think it is no longer valid, such as a refit, a change of use, new occupiers or a fire or near miss. Many businesses review annually as a matter of routine.
The person carrying out the assessment must be competent for the type and size of building. Many assessors work to PAS 79, the published methodology for fire risk assessment, which keeps the approach consistent and the report easy to follow.
Signs an assessment is not good enough
A generic template with the building name swapped in. No floor plans or photographs. Actions with no priority or deadline. No mention of the people most at risk. If your current assessment looks like this, it is unlikely to satisfy an inspecting officer from the fire and rescue authority.
How it works
Three steps, one point of contact
Step 1
Book the assessment
Tell us about the premises, how it is used and when the last assessment was done. We confirm the scope and arrange a site visit.
Step 2
Assess, record and price
The assessment is carried out on site and written up in full. Each action is specified and costed, and issued as one proposal with funding alongside it.
Step 3
Put it right
Approved actions go to a vetted, SSIP-accredited subcontractor on our panel. Completion photographs are checked against the specification, and the assessment record is updated.
Funding
Spread the cost
The assessment itself is usually a modest cost, but the actions it raises can be substantial. Remediation such as alarm upgrades, fire door replacement or compartmentation can be spread over a fixed term through our sister business, Novora Asset Finance™. Finance is subject to status and credit approval, and Novora sets out the terms, total cost and any fees before you commit.
Evidence
What you end up holding
A written fire risk assessment with photographs and a prioritised action plan, a costed proposal for every action, and a record showing when each one was closed out. Remedial work is photographed and checked against the specification before sign-off, so the evidence sits with the assessment.
Questions
Fire risk assessments: common questions
Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement?
Yes, for almost all workplaces and non-domestic premises in England and Wales, including the common parts of blocks of flats. The Responsible Person must have a suitable and sufficient assessment and act on its findings.
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
The law says regularly and whenever there is reason to think it is no longer valid. A change of layout, use or occupancy should trigger a review. Many businesses also review annually as a matter of good practice.
Can I do my own fire risk assessment?
In a small, simple building, a competent Responsible Person can. For larger or more complex premises, or where people sleep on site, a competent assessor is strongly advised. If you are unsure, that is usually a sign to bring someone in.
How much does a fire risk assessment cost?
It depends on the size, layout and use of the building, so we price it after a short conversation about the premises. The actions it raises are priced separately and shown in the same proposal.
What happens if the assessment finds serious problems?
High-risk findings are flagged straight away rather than left for the written report. We can specify and price urgent works quickly and prioritise them on our panel.
Related services
Often needed alongside this
Fire alarm systems
For businesses and building managers who need a new fire alarm, an upgrade or servicing that is actually up to date. You get a system that suits the risk and the paperwork to prove it.
Read more →Fire doorsFor landlords, managing agents and business owners who need to know their fire doors will do their job. You get a door-by-door survey, priced repairs and a record of every inspection.
Read more →Asset financeFor businesses that need plant, vehicles, IT or equipment without handing over the full price on day one. The cost is spread into fixed monthly payments, arranged through Novora Asset Finance™.
Read more →