What is a fire risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment is a structured review of your premises to identify potential fire hazards, assess who may be at risk, evaluate your existing fire safety measures and reduce risk to an acceptable level, with the findings recorded and kept under review.
Whether you operate an office, warehouse, retail unit, school or construction site, a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is essential. MAST Safety supports duty holders, landlords and managing agents by identifying fire hazards, assessing risk, and providing prioritised, actionable recommendations to keep people safe and ensure compliance.
A fire risk assessment is not a one-off exercise
It is a living document that must reflect how your premises are actually used.
Your legal responsibilities under the Fire Safety Order
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the “Responsible Person” must take reasonable steps to reduce fire risk and protect occupants. This includes legal duties to:
- Carry out a suitable fire risk assessment
- Provide and maintain fire detection and warning systems
- Ensure safe emergency escape routes
- Install appropriate fire-fighting equipment
- Provide fire safety training and information
- Regularly review and update fire safety arrangements
Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, fines or prosecution.
Why choose MAST Safety for your fire risk assessment?
- Competent, experienced fire risk assessors
- Clear, practical reports with no unnecessary jargon
- Action plans prioritised by risk rating
- Assessments suitable for audits, insurers and enforcement officers
- Support for businesses across London and the South East
- Ongoing review reminders to keep you compliant
Our approach is focused on real-world safety, not just ticking boxes.
Our fire risk assessment process
Our fire risk assessments follow a structured, compliant methodology.
Identify fire hazards
We inspect sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen, alongside issues such as electrical equipment, heaters, storage, escape routes and fire doors. We also identify people at risk, including vulnerable occupants.
Evaluate the level of risk
We assess the likelihood of fire occurring and the potential consequences, taking into account your activities, occupancy and layout.
Review existing fire safety measures
Fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire-fighting equipment, signage, procedures and training are reviewed for suitability and effectiveness.
Recommend control measures
Where improvements are required, we provide clear recommendations, from procedural changes and training to physical improvements.
Record significant findings
All findings are documented in a structured report with an action plan, including risk ratings to help you prioritise actions.
Review and update
We remind clients to review assessments regularly, especially after changes to layout, occupancy or processes.
All with the aim of safeguarding your premises and the lives of those within it.
Who needs a fire risk assessment?
A fire risk assessment is required for almost all non-domestic premises, including:
- Offices and commercial buildings
- Warehouses and industrial units
- Retail premises
- Schools and educational facilities
- Construction site offices and compounds
- Shared residential areas
If you employ staff or allow members of the public onto your premises, you almost certainly need one. Many of our clients commission a fire risk assessment as part of their wider Health & Safety Consultancy arrangements with MAST Safety.
How often should a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
Fire risk assessments must be kept up to date. They should be reviewed:
- Annually (as best practice)
- After significant changes to the building or layout
- When work activities change
- Following a fire or near-miss
- When new guidance or legislation is introduced
Fire safety training & ongoing support
A fire risk assessment is only effective if people understand it. Through our course advisors we can arrange fire safety training to support your assessment and ensure staff know how to respond in an emergency. This integrated approach helps demonstrate strong compliance and improves real-world safety outcomes.
If you require ongoing compliance support, our health and safety consultancy service provides expert guidance to help your organisation maintain safe and compliant workplaces.
Where an assessment flags issues with fire doors or your building’s compartmentation, we can act on those findings directly. We provide fire door inspections, compartmentation surveys and fire stopping to put right the problems an assessment uncovers, so you move from report to resolved with one team.
Book a fire risk assessment
Need an assessment in London or the South East? Our team will explain what’s required, arrange a suitable assessment, and support you every step of the way.