Fire Risk Assessment
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Fire Risk Assessment
ESI: Fire Safety Berkshire provides professional, practical Fire Risk Assessments across Berkshire for residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings.
Our assessments are designed to help responsible persons comply with legal duties, reduce risk, and implement realistic fire safety improvements — not just produce paperwork.
We work with managing agents, landlords, directors of resident management companies, business owners, and duty holders to deliver clear, actionable fire risk assessments.
We cover all Berkshire areas including:
Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell, Windsor, Maidenhead, Slough, Newbury, Thatcham, Hungerford, Sandhurst, Crowthorne, Ascot, Woodley and surrounding towns and villages.
What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?
A Fire Risk Assessment is a structured review of a building to identify:
Fire hazards
People at risk
Existing fire precautions
Gaps in protection
Required improvements
Management controls
It results in a prioritised action plan to improve safety and demonstrate compliance.
Under UK fire safety law, most non-domestic premises and the common parts of residential buildings must have a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment.
Legal Framework We Assess Against
Our fire risk assessments are carried out in line with:
Relevant Home Office guidance for residential buildings
Government guidance for small blocks of flats
Purpose-built block guidance
LACoRS housing fire safety guidance (where applicable)
We align findings with recognised British Standards where relevant.
Standards and Guidance We Reference
Depending on building type, assessments reference appropriate standards including:
BS 9991 – Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings
BS 9999 – Fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings
BS 5839-1 – Fire detection and fire alarm systems
- BS 5839-6 – Domestic fire detection systems
BS 5266 – Emergency lighting
BS 8214 – Fire door assemblies
- BS 5306 – Fire extinguishers
BS 5839-6 – Domestic fire detection
BS EN 1154 – Door closers
BS EN 1634 – Fire door testing
- BS EN 62305 – Lightning protection
- PAS 79 – Fire risk assessment methodology
This ensures recommendations are technically grounded and defensible.
Types of Buildings We Assess
We carry out Fire Risk Assessments for:
Residential
Buildings
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Blocks of flats
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Small blocks of flats
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Purpose-built flats
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Converted flats
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HMOs
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Maisonettes (common parts)
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Residential developments
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Managed apartment blocks
Commercial Premises
Offices
Shops and retail units
Warehouses
Industrial units
Workshops
Mixed-use buildings
Community buildings
Light commercial premises
Specialist
& Higher-Risk Premises
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Multi-occupied buildings
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Buildings with managing agents
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Resident management company properties
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Director-managed blocks
What our fire risk assessments cover
When we carry out a fire risk assessment, we don’t just walk the stairwell and tick a few boxes.
We look at the things that actually keep people safe and keep the building compliant, including:
How fire could spread on the outside of the building (including anything fixed to the external walls)
The communal areas – lobby, stairwell, landings and cupboards
Escape routes, stairs and the final exit
Flat entrance doors, fire doors and compartmentation (the stuff that makes “stay put” work)
Service cupboards and whether cables and pipework are properly fire-stopped
Emergency lighting – quick checks and clear actions where units fail
Fire alarm and detection arrangements (communal systems if present, and how it all fits together)
Fire safety signage and notices
Housekeeping and “fire loading” – especially keeping the stairwell sterile and clear
Contractor controls (so works don’t compromise fire safety)
How fire safety is being managed day-to-day
Records, testing routines and whether the paperwork is actually in place and up to date
What you’ll get from us
You’ll receive a report you can actually use:
A structured written report (not a confusing spreadsheet)
A clear risk rating
A prioritised action plan, so you know what to do first
Plain-English explanations (no unnecessary jargon)
Practical, proportionate recommendations
Helpful management notes to support directors, landlords, and managing agents with ongoing compliance
Why Choose ESI: Fire Safety Berkshire
Specialist fire safety focus
Experience in residential and multi-occupied buildings
Strong understanding of managing agent and director responsibilities
Practical compliance approach
Actionable reports
Clear language
Ongoing support available
How Often Should Fire Risk Assessments Be Reviewed?
Most premises should have their Fire Risk Assessment:
Reviewed annually
Reviewed after significant changes
Reviewed after fire incidents
Reviewed after building alterations
We can provide scheduled reassessment programmes.
Book a Fire Risk Assessment in Berkshire
If you need a Fire Risk Assessment in Berkshire, contact Berkshire Fire Safety today.
We will be happy to discuss your building and provide a quotation.
Who is legally responsible for getting a fire risk assessment done?
The legal responsibility sits with the “Responsible Person.”
This is usually the employer, business owner, landlord, managing agent, or resident management company directors — depending on the building type. For blocks of flats, it applies to the common parts.
The duty comes from the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
How often should a fire risk assessment be carried out?
Most buildings should have their fire risk assessment reviewed at least every 12 months.
It should also be reviewed sooner if there are building changes, layout alterations, new occupancy risks, fire safety upgrades, or after a fire incident or near miss.
Do small blocks of flats really need a fire risk assessment?
Yes. Even small blocks of flats must have a fire risk assessment covering the common areas.
Government guidance specifically covers small blocks, and fire authorities expect a suitable and sufficient assessment to be in place, along with basic fire safety management and records.
How long does a fire risk assessment take on site?
For a typical small block of flats or small commercial premises, the site visit usually takes between 1 and 3 hours.
Larger or more complex buildings take longer.
The written report and action plan are then prepared and issued after the visit.
Will your report just list problems, or explain what to do?
We focus on practical outcomes.
You won’t just get a list of faults — you’ll get a prioritised action plan, clear explanations, and proportionate recommendations.
We also include management guidance so directors and managing agents understand what needs to be done and why.