How to arrange a fire risk assessment for your building

Knowing how to arrange a fire risk assessment starts with gathering the right facts about your building. The specialist firm carrying out the work will ask for specific information needed before the fire assessment can be booked. Have the address ready, along with the number of storeys, the total count of flats or rooms, and how the building is used. If it is a house in multiple occupation, mention that early, as the requirements differ from a standard block.

You should also note the type of alarm system installed and whether any recent changes have been made to the layout. Finding out when the last assessment took place helps the assessor plan the visit. Check the building log book or ask the managing agent. If no record exists, say so. All of this forms the basis of booking a fire risk assessment in Bexley, so having it written down speeds up the enquiry. For buildings outside the borough, the process is similar, but local knowledge matters. A separate service covers <a href="/areas/dartford">Dartford</a> and another handles <a href="/areas/plumstead">Plumstead</a>.

The law requires that a competent person completes the work. Who can carry out a fire risk assessment depends on the complexity of the building. For a small office in Bexley, a general fire safety practitioner may be sufficient. For a tall residential block, the responsible person must appoint someone with specific experience in multi-occupied housing. The specialist firms handling these enquiries employ assessors who hold recognised credentials such as NEBOSH Fire Safety qualifications or membership of professional bodies like the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) or the Institution of Fire Risk Managers (IFRM). These individuals are trained to examine the structure, the alarm systems, and the escape routes.

If you are unsure who the responsible person is for your building, the rules around that role are set out separately. The duty falls on whoever controls the premises, which might be a landlord, a freeholder, or a managing agent. They hold the legal obligation to ensure the assessment takes place and that any findings are acted upon. Understanding this duty is the first step before arranging any visit.

A common question is whether access to flats during the fire assessment is required, or if the assessor only needs to see the communal areas. For a standard Type 1 assessment, the specialist examines hallways, stairwells, lobbies, plant rooms, and bin stores. They do not need to enter individual homes. However, they will inspect flat entrance doors from the corridor side to check their condition and self-closing mechanisms. More detail on those door checks is covered in the guidance on <a href="/compliance/fire-door-checks-quarterly">quarterly fire door inspections</a>.

If the building has a more complex history or construction, a higher-level assessment might be recommended, which could involve looking inside a sample of flats. The specialist will explain what the assessor needs on the day when confirming the appointment. Someone with keys to the communal areas, such as a caretaker or managing agent, must be present to let them in and answer questions about maintenance routines.

Once the inspection is finished, the specialist compiles the findings into a written document. Fire risk assessment report contents typically include a description of the building, the people at risk, the hazards identified, and the existing safety measures. Each finding is graded by risk level, and the report lists actions with suggested deadlines. You will see clear priorities rather than vague advice.

The report usually arrives within ten working days of the visit. It is sent to the person who commissioned the work. If a managing agent arranged the assessment, they receive the document and are expected to share relevant sections with leaseholders or residents. For landlords operating shared housing, the findings feed directly into licensing conditions. Guidance on <a href="/compliance/hmo-licence-fire-safety-requirements">HMO licence requirements</a> explains how those obligations connect. Keep the report safe, as it forms part of the building records and will be requested during any future review.