Fire Risk Assessment Services

You legally need a fire risk assessment if you are an employer, owner, landlord or occupier of a non-domestic premises, or if you are responsible for the shared communal areas of a residential building such as a block of flats or HMO. This applies to all workplaces and commercial premises, blocks of flats (communal areas), Houses in Multiple Occupation, and holiday lets and guest houses. If you have five or more employees, a licence, or an alterations notice in force, the assessment must be written down by law. Domestic private homeowners are not legally required to have a formal written assessment for their own single private dwelling, but understanding your risks is the first step toward installing life-saving equipment.

A fire risk assessment must be carried out by a competent person who possesses the necessary technical knowledge, training and experience to identify fire hazards and prescribe correct safety measures. If you are responsible for a block of flats, a care home or an HMO, relying on an unqualified person can lead to prosecution if the assessment is found to be unsuitable or insufficient. Professional assessors should typically hold registration with a professional body such as IFSM or IFE, third-party certification such as BAFE SP205, and demonstrable experience in your specific building type. At QSD Fire Systems, while we specialise in the design and installation of suppression systems, we work alongside accredited fire risk assessors to ensure your entire fire safety strategy is robust and compliant.

A fire risk assessment should be reviewed at least every 12 months and fully redone every 3 to 5 years, or immediately whenever significant changes occur to the property’s layout, occupancy or use. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 does not specify an exact time limit but legally mandates that assessments are regularly reviewed. Immediate review is triggered by alterations to building structure or layout, significant changes in occupancy, a fire incident or near miss, or changes to fire safety legislation.

Residential fires develop rapidly. Modern furnishings release toxic fumes and spread flames faster than in previous decades, making early detection and active suppression critical to survival. The time available to escape a residential fire has decreased significantly because of synthetic materials and open-plan layouts. This is why the UK Government mandated automatic fire suppression systems in new residential properties from 2016 onwards.

A fire risk assessment determines whether your property meets current UK domestic fire safety regulations, which require automatic fire suppression systems in new residential buildings, converted residential properties and certain residential accommodation types. Wales led the UK in requiring fire suppression systems through the Domestic Fire Safety Regulations. At QSD Fire Systems, we hold IFC accreditation and ISO 9001 certification, meaning our recommendations align with the highest UK safety standards.

Assessment findings increasingly influence residential property insurance premiums and coverage, with underwriters expecting documented fire risk mitigation including active fire protection systems. Many insurers offer premium reductions for properties with documented assessments, automatic fire suppression systems installed, professional maintenance records and enhanced fire detection.

A fire risk assessment typically recommends a layered approach combining detection systems, suppression systems, compartmentation and escape planning. Detection provides early warning but is insufficient alone when fires develop within 3 to 4 minutes. Automatic fire suppression is the active layer that suppresses fires early, reduces smoke and heat, buys evacuation time and prevents spread in multi-unit buildings. At QSD Fire Systems, our fire suppression installations address the active protection gap that detection cannot fill. Passive measures including fire-resistant materials, compartmentation and escape routes complement the active systems.

Implement recommendations in order of priority, addressing the highest-risk hazards first, and document your fire protection investments for insurance and compliance. Findings are categorised high, medium and low risk. QSD helps property owners translate findings into practical improvements through initial assessment, system design, professional installation to IFC standards and ISO 9001 specifications, and ongoing maintenance.

Fire protection systems require regular maintenance to function reliably, with documentation proving system readiness supporting both insurance and regulatory compliance. QSD provides maintenance services that keep your fire protection systems operational and compliant throughout their lifecycle.