Fire Risk Assessment
Professional Fire Risk Assessments
for Midlands Businesses
SS Safety Ltd provides comprehensive fire risk assessments and practical fire-safety advice for commercial premises across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and the wider Midlands.
Your assessment will be completed by Shaun Smith, with over 15 years experience in fire risk assessment and Tier 2 member of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers.
The assessment examines your premises, the people who may be at risk, the potential for fire and the arrangements needed to prevent fire and protect people if one occurs.
You will receive a clear written assessment and prioritised action plan explaining what is already suitable, what requires improvement and which matters need the most urgent attention. Request a Fire Risk Assessment Quotation
Does Your Premises Have a Suitable and Current Fire Risk Assessment?
A fire risk assessment may be inadequate where:
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It does not reflect the current premises or activities.
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It was completed using a generic online template.
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Important sections remain unanswered.
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The person completing it did not inspect the premises.
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The assessment contains no clear action plan.
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Actions have never been completed or reviewed.
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Responsibility for fire safety is unclear.
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The building layout or occupancy has changed.
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New equipment, substances or processes have been introduced.
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Fire doors, escape routes or alarm arrangements have changed.
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The premises are shared with other businesses or residents.
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The assessment does not consider people who may need assistance.
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The assessor’s identity or competence is not recorded.
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The document records only significant findings rather than the full assessment.
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Nobody can demonstrate how fire-safety arrangements are managed and monitored.
SS Safety can undertake a new assessment or review your existing assessment and identify what needs to change.
Arrange an Initial Discussion
What Does Fire-Safety Law Require?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to most non-domestic premises in
England and Wales, including workplaces
and the relevant parts of buildings containing domestic premises.
The law requires the Responsible Person to make a:
“suitable and sufficient assessment” of the risks to which relevant persons (such as your employees) are exposed,
so that fire risk can be reduced.
The assessment must be reviewed regularly (usually annual) but frequency may change to keep it current where:
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There is reason to suspect it is no longer valid.
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There has been a significant change to the premises.
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The work activity has changed.
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Technical or organisational measures have changed.
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The organisation of the work has changed.
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The premises have been extended or converted.
The assessment is the starting point. The Responsible Person must also implement and maintain the fire precautions
identified as necessary.
​
Who Is the Responsible Person?
From 1st October 2023 the responsible person must:
Strengthened Fire-Safety Recording Duties
Fire-safety law was strengthened from 1 October 2023.
Responsible Persons must now:
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Record the fire risk assessment in full.
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Record all findings, not only the significant findings.
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Record their fire-safety arrangements.
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Record the name of anyone engaged to undertake or review the assessment.
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Record the assessor’s organisation where applicable.
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Maintain current contact information, including a UK address.
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identify other Responsible Persons sharing duties for the premises.
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Inform other Responsible Persons of their identity.
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Record the extent of their fire-safety responsibilities.
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Cooperate and coordinate with other Responsible Persons.
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Pass relevant fire-safety information to an incoming Responsible Person.
These recording requirements apply regardless of the size or purpose of the business
or premises.
A small business with fewer than five employees is no longer exempt from recording its
fire risk assessment and fire-safety arrangements in full.
Can You Complete the Assessment
Yourself?
The Responsible Person may complete the assessment where they have sufficient knowledge and
the premises and risks are simple.
However, appointing an external assessor may be appropriate where:
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The premises are unfamiliar or complex.
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The Responsible Person lacks sufficient fire-safety knowledge.
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The building is divided or occupied by different organisations.
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There are people who sleep in or above the premises.
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The premises contain hazardous substances or unusual processes.
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Escape arrangements are not straightforward.
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Fire protection is difficult to assess.
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Significant alterations have occurred.
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Previous findings remain unresolved.
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Independent professional judgement is required.
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An insurer, landlord or client requires professional assessment.
The Responsible Person remains responsible for ensuring that the assessment is suitable
and sufficient, even where an external assessor is appointed.
Our Assessment Process
1
Initial Scope
Review
Before accepting the appointment, we establish:
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Premises type and use.
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Location.
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Approximate size.
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Number of floors.
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Occupancy.
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Sleeping accommodation.
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Shared or mixed use.
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Hazardous processes.
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Existing fire-safety documentation.
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Reason for the assessment.
This allows us to confirm that the assessment falls within our competence and determine whether specialist input may be required.
2
Information
Request
Where available, we may request:
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Existing fire risk assessment.
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Building plans.
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Fire strategy.
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Landlord information.
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Alarm and emergency-lighting records.
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Fire-door information.
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Drill and training records.
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Maintenance certification.
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Dangerous-substance information.
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Previous enforcement or insurer correspondence.
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Details of significant alterations.
The absence of information does not prevent the assessment, but it may create limitations or actions.
3
Risk Assessment & Evaluation
Assessment
Shaun attends the premises, examines accessible areas and discusses the arrangements with the Responsible Person or nominated representative.
Relevant employees may also be consulted.
Evaluation
The observed conditions and management arrangements are evaluated against the Fire Safety Order, applicable official guidance and recognised fire-safety principles.
4
Write-up,
Management
Discussion & Action
Plan
Documentation
You receive the completed assessment, supporting findings and prioritised recommendations.
Management Discussion
Significant findings and priorities can be discussed with management to ensure they are understood.
5
Follow Up
Support
Where commissioned, SS Safety can help:
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Develop emergency procedures.
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Review completed actions.
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Prepare fire-safety policies.
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Improve fire logs and inspection schedules.
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Develop PEEPs.
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Review contractor information.
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Assist with landlord or managing-agent queries.
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Brief employees and managers.
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Complete a follow-up inspection.
Specialist design or installation work will be referred to
an appropriately competent provider.
What Our Clients Say
Cooper Parry
“SS Safety Ltd has delivered our nominated competent advice since March 2021 to improve the general safety of our office environment, carried out fire risk assessments and developed follow-up procedures for our offices across UK & NI.”
“Shaun has accepted and dealt with challenges, finding bespoke solutions, creating action plans and fire strategy which meet the informal style of our business.”
Kerrie Morris, Facilities Compliance Manager, Cooper Parry
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ECS Nottingham
"Shaun has delivered fire risk assessment, advice and support to ensure that our factory and workforce are compliant.
Shaun has a practical and clear approach allowing for effective, quick solutions".
Robinson Contract Services
"SS Safety fronted by Shaun has delivered fire risk assessment, ISO management structure and health and safety to our business since 2017.
He is part of the structure that has seen the business grow from 17 to over 100 employees. He is reliable, extremely knowledgeable and trusted at RCS.
Emma Marsland MD
