Is a Fire Risk Assessment a Legal Requirement? Here’s What Every UK Business Must Know in 2025

Updated in October 2025

Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement in the UK?

If you own or run a business, the answer is yes - it’s the law. Every commercial building in the UK needs a fire risk assessment. It doesn’t matter if you’ve only got a small office, a café, or a shared building with other businesses — the law says you must have one and keep it up to date.

Since October 2023, you also have to keep the whole thing in writing. That means a proper report, not just notes or a few lines in an email. If the fire service visits and you can’t show this, you could face a fine or even be told to close your premises until you put things right.

What exactly is a fire risk assessment?

A fire risk assessment is basically a common-sense look at your building. It’s about spotting what could start a fire, who might be in danger if it happened, and what you can do to stop it.

When we carry one out at Santone Fire, we look at:

• What could cause a fire — like electrical kit, heaters, or storage areas

• Who could be at risk — staff, visitors, customers, residents

• How you’d detect and deal with a fire — alarms, extinguishers, signage, fire doors

• How easy it is for people to get out safely

• What needs improving and how soon

It’s a practical exercise, not a box-ticking job. The aim is to make sure everyone in your building can get out safely if the worst ever happens.

Who’s responsible for getting it done?

Legally, the duty sits with what’s called the Responsible Person In plain terms, that’s whoever has control of the bhttp://Person.Inuilding — it could be:

• The employer if you have staff working there

• The landlord or managing agent if you rent the building out

• The tenant or business owner if you occupy and run the space

In shared buildings, there can be more than one Responsible Person, so it’s important to work together. Even if you hire someone to carry out the assessment, the responsibility to make sure it’s done properly still sits with you.

Does this apply to all businesses in Kent?

Yes — without exception. Whether you’ve got a hair salon in Maidstone, an office in Rochester, or a small industrial unit in Sittingbourne, you need a fire risk assessment.

It also applies to communal areas in blocks of flats and HMOs, as well as hotels, B&Bs and short-term lets. If people work or stay in your building, you’re legally required to have one.

Can I do it myself?

If your building is small and simple, you can technically do it yourself. The government even provides a five-step guide. But you need to be confident you understand what you’re doing.

For anything more complicated — multiple floors, shared access, sleeping accommodation, or higher-risk activities — it’s best to use a professional. A qualified assessor knows what to look for and how to keep you compliant.

At Santone Fire, we’ve seen it all — from small offices to large factories — and we’ll guide you through everything without drowning you in jargon. We explain things in plain English and give you a report that makes sense.

How much does a fire risk assessment cost in Kent?

Costs vary depending on the size and type of building, but here’s a rough guide:

Type of building	Typical cost (ex VAT)	What’s included
Small office / shop	£200 – £400	Basic layout, low risk
Medium business premises	£350 – £800	Multi-room or multi-floor
Large / complex sites	£800 – £2,500+	Hotels, warehouses, blocks of flats

Most of our Kent clients pay between £350 and £600 for a full assessment. That includes the site visit, photos, recommendations, and a clear action plan so you know exactly what to do next.

What if you don’t have one?

If the fire service carries out an inspection and you don’t have a valid, written assessment, they can issue an enforcement notice or prohibition notice. You could face unlimited fines, your insurance may become invalid, and in serious cases, your building can be shut down until you comply.

It’s not worth the risk. Having a proper assessment in place is far cheaper — and safer — than dealing with the aftermath of a fire or a legal penalty.

How often should you review it?

There’s no exact timeframe in law, but as a rule of thumb:

• Review it every 12 months, and

• Always update it if anything changes — for example, new tenants, a layout change, or new equipment

Some industries, like care homes and schools, review theirs annually without fail. It’s also smart to review after any near-miss or small fire.

The five steps to doing a fire risk assessment

1. Find the fire hazards — anything that could start or spread a fire

2. Identify who’s at risk — staff, visitors, contractors, residents

3. Evaluate and act — reduce risks and put in controls

4. Record and plan — write everything down and make an action plan

5. Review regularly — keep it up to date

You don’t need to overthink it — just be thorough and honest about what’s really happening in your building.

Common mistakes we see all the time

• Thinking the landlord will sort it (they might not)

• Copying a template without ever walking the site

• Forgetting to actually record the findings

• Leaving blocked exits or missing signage

• Never training staff on what to do in a fire

• Filing the report away and never reviewing it again

Most of these problems are easy to fix once someone points them out — that’s where a proper, hands-on assessment helps.

Why it’s worth doing properly

Aside from staying legal, there are plenty of good reasons to stay on top of fire safety:

• It keeps your people safe

• It reduces downtime if something goes wrong

• It keeps insurers happy

• It shows customers and staff you take safety seriously

• It protects the future of your business

  
  

A real example from right here in Kent

One of our clients in Canterbury ran a small retail shop. They thought their landlord had the fire safety sorted, but when we checked, there was no written report and a few exit routes were blocked with stock.

We carried out a full assessment in one afternoon, charged £420 + VAT, and found eight quick fixes — all sorted within two weeks. The fire service later carried out a routine inspection, and the shop passed with flying colours.

A couple of hours of planning saved a lot of worry.

What’s changed recently?

The most important update was in October 2023, when the government made written records compulsory for every premises — no exceptions.

Looking ahead to 2025, the focus is shifting towards making sure the person doing the assessment is actually competent and qualified. There’s also more attention on newer risks like lithium battery storage and EV charging points.

Need help with your fire risk assessment?

At Santone Fire, we help businesses all over Kent stay compliant and safe. We’re fully certified, friendly, and we explain things without the technical waffle.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Straightforward advice from local professionals

• Fixed quotes with no surprises

• Fast turnaround on reports

• A practical action plan you can follow

Whether you’ve never had an assessment before or just need to update an old one, we’ll make it easy from start to finish.

📞 Get in touch today to book your Fire Risk Assessment in Kent and keep your business protected.

Quick FAQs

Do I legally need one?Yes. Every business premises and most shared residential buildings must have a written fire risk assessment.

Who’s responsible for organising it?Usually the employer, landlord or whoever has control of the building.

Can I do it myself?Yes, if it’s small and low risk. But if it’s complex, get a professional.

How long does it take?Usually between two and six hours on site, depending on size and layout.

What if I don’t have one?You could be fined or ordered to close until you comply.