Fire Risk Assessments in Richmond

Legal Duties

What are your fire safety responsibilities?

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is the primary legislation covering general fire safety in England and Wales—supported by subsequent amendments, the Fire Safety Act 2021—which clarified responsibilities in residential buildings—and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, which introduced additional duties for certain multi-occupied residential premises in England.

In Scotland, general fire safety duties are set out under Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005, supported by the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006, which together place duties on those responsible for premises.

As an employer, building owner, landlord, or occupier, you are classed as the Responsible Person and are required to ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and kept up to date. Fire risk assessments in Richmond may be completed as a standalone exercise or as part of a wider safety management system.

Based on the findings of the assessment, the Responsible Person must ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are in place to reduce the risk of injury or loss of life in the event of a fire.

A fire risk assessment in Richmond should identify potential fire hazards, sources of ignition, combustible materials, and the people who may be at risk, and set out actions required to manage and reduce those risks.

For further information on fire safety duties and guidance, please refer to government fire safety guidance and the relevant Health and Safety Executive (HSE) resources.

As the responsible person you must:

carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment of the premises and keep it up to date, reviewing it when necessary (e.g., changes in use, occupants, or layout)
tell staff, residents, or their representatives about the fire risks you have identified and how they are being managed
put in place and maintain appropriate fire safety measures, including detection, alarm systems, escape routes, fire doors and other precautions proportionate to the risk
plan for an emergency, including ensuring that escape routes are available, understood, and practised where appropriate
provide people on the premises with information, instruction, and training on fire safety measures and emergency procedures

What's Included

What a fire safety risk assessment in Richmond should include.

The purpose of a Richmond fire risk assessment is to identify fire hazards, identify people at risk, evaluate and reduce those risks where necessary, record significant findings, plan for an emergency, provide appropriate information and training, and review the assessment regularly.

The assessor will reference a question template when completing the assessment, the completed report or survey can document the following examples.

Electrical sources of ignition
Smoking
Arson/wilful fire raising
Portable heaters and heating installations
Cooking
Lightning
Housekeeping and storage arrangements
Hazards introduced by outside contractors and builders
Dangerous substances
Other significant fire hazards
People at risk (including vulnerable persons)
Means of escape from fire
Measures to limit fire spread and development
Emergency escape lighting
Fire safety signs and notices
Means of giving warning in case of fire
Manual fire extinguishing appliances
Relevant automatic fire extinguishing systems
Other relevant fixed systems and equipment
Management of fire safety procedures and arrangements
Training and drills
Testing and maintenance
Records

For fire risk assessment guidance and recommended methodology, the appropriate current British Standard should be followed. This includes PAS 79-1:2020 for premises other than housing, and BS 9792:2025 for housing, both published by the British Standards Institution (BSI).

Details of the building

Including the Responsible Person, any appointed competent persons, building use, number of floors, lifts, basements, stairwells and shared areas.
Fire protection

Including firefighting equipment, fire detection and alarm systems, extinguishers, fire blankets, fire hoses (where fitted), sprinkler or suppression systems, smoke control and extract systems.
Fire hazards

Including sources of ignition, sources of fuel and sources of oxygen.
People at risk

Including employees, residents, visitors, contractors and others who may be affected, with consideration given to vulnerable persons such as those with mobility, vision or hearing impairment, lone workers, elderly persons, language barriers, substance misuse, cognitive impairment or young persons.
Means of escape

Including the number, location and adequacy of escape routes, final exits and, where relevant, travel distances.
Risk evaluation

Assessors may use a range of professional judgement tools to evaluate risk, which can include qualitative scoring or matrices, but risk levels should always be justified within the context of the premises.
Significant findings

Including identified deficiencies, recommended actions, priorities and timescales for improvement.
Photographs and supporting evidence

A fire risk assessor may take photographs or request documentation to support findings and demonstrate how conclusions have been reached.

Local Fire Risk Assessment Support

For businesses, landlords, managing agents and responsible persons in Richmond needing a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.

Fire Safety Duties in Richmond

Richmond in London is covered by London Fire Brigade. Fire safety duties should be considered against the actual premises use, layout, occupancy, escape routes, fire warning arrangements and day-to-day management.

Local Coverage

Fire risk assessors can support businesses, landlords, managing agents and responsible persons across Richmond, nearby areas and wider London.

Premises We Assess

Common premises in Richmond include offices, shops, pubs, restaurants, warehouses, workshops, apartment blocks, HMOs, mixed-use buildings, healthcare premises.

Areas Covered

Nearby areas covered include Kew, Twickenham, Barnes, Mortlake, Teddington, Kingston upon Thames, Hammersmith and Chiswick.

Typical Assessment

A typical Richmond assessment may involve an office, shop, hospitality premises, workshop, school, care premises or residential common area. The assessor would review fire hazards, people at risk, escape routes, alarm provision, emergency lighting, fire doors, extinguishers, signage, staff procedures and maintenance records.

Fire Risk Assessment FAQs in Richmond

Who needs a fire risk assessment in Richmond, London?

Most non-domestic premises in Richmond need a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, including offices, shops, hospitality premises, workplaces, care settings, communal residential areas and mixed-use buildings.

Which fire and rescue service covers Richmond in London?

Richmond in London is covered by London Fire Brigade. The assessment should still be specific to the premises and the responsible person's duties.

Can assessments cover nearby areas around Richmond?

Yes. Assessors can usually cover Richmond, nearby towns and surrounding areas across London.

What should a Richmond fire risk assessment review?

It should review hazards, people at risk, escape routes, fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire doors, extinguishers, signage, procedures, training and maintenance records.

Is a fire risk assessment needed for flats or HMOs in Richmond?

Yes, the shared parts of blocks of flats and many HMOs normally require a fire risk assessment covering communal escape routes, fire doors, detection, lighting and management arrangements.

Fire Risk Assessment Standards in Richmond

Fire risk assessments in Richmond should be carried out by competent assessors using recognised fire safety guidance, current British Standards and appropriate third-party certification where required.

Competent Fire Risk Assessors

Our network includes fire safety professionals with experience assessing commercial, residential and mixed-use premises. Assessors are selected for their knowledge of fire safety legislation, practical building risk, means of escape, fire protection systems and fire safety management.

PAS 79-1:2020

PAS 79-1:2020 provides a recognised methodology for carrying out and recording fire risk assessments in premises other than housing. It helps ensure assessments are structured, consistent and suitable for responsible persons managing fire safety duties.

BS 9792:2025

BS 9792:2025 provides current guidance for fire risk assessments in housing. It is relevant to blocks of flats, sheltered housing, supported housing and other residential premises where fire safety risk needs to be assessed and recorded clearly.

BAFE SP205

BAFE SP205 is the Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment scheme for third-party certificated fire risk assessment providers. Where applicable, it gives clients independent evidence that a provider has been assessed for competence, management systems and report validation.

UKAS-Accredited Certification

Some fire safety providers hold third-party certification through UKAS-accredited certification bodies. This can help demonstrate that their systems, processes and competence have been independently audited against recognised scheme requirements.

ISO 9001:2015

ISO 9001:2015 is the international standard for quality management systems. It supports consistent service delivery, documented processes, continual improvement and a strong focus on meeting customer and regulatory requirements..

ISO 14001:2026

ISO 14001:2026 is the current international standard for environmental management systems. It helps organisations manage environmental responsibilities, improve environmental performance and meet compliance obligations in a structured way.

ISO 45001:2018

ISO 45001:2018 is the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems. It replaced OHSAS 18001 and provides a framework for managing health and safety risks, legal duties, worker participation and continual improvement.

Professional Memberships & Registers

Individual assessors may hold relevant professional memberships or registrations with recognised fire safety and risk management bodies, such as the Institution of Fire Engineers, Institute of Fire Safety Managers or other appropriate competency registers.

Supporting Fire Safety Standards

Depending on the premises, assessors may consider relevant standards and guidance for fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire doors, extinguishers, signage, smoke control, evacuation strategy and fire safety management.

Testimonials

Reviews from our clients

The fire risk assessor was very knowledgeable on all aspects of fire safety relating to my business. A very professional fire risk assessment service and would highly recommend them to anyone.

Robert B.

The Fire Risk Assessment Network are a great company to work with. Highly recommend the fire risk assessors.

Craig S.

We have worked with the Fire Risk Assessment Network on many occasions and we are very happy to recommend their fire safety risk assessment services

Chris T.

I found the Fire Risk Assessment Network to be very efficient, knowledgeable and helpful. First class service. Highly recommend this company for fire risk assessments.

Henry W.

Premises

Fire risk assessors for commercial, residential, public-sector and specialist premises in Richmond, London.

Agricultural

Barns, sheds, greenhouses, farmhouses and stables.

Commercial

Banks, convention centers, forums, facilities management, garages, hotels, nightclubs, markets, high-rise buildings, resorts, shops, shopping malls, studios, supermarkets, warehouses and restaurants.

Residential

Blocks of flats, dormitories, houses, maisonettes, nursing homes, care homes, sheltered housing, town houses, landlords, guest houses, private dwellings, tenants, villas and bungalows.

Educational

Archives, colleges, classrooms, gymnasiums, institutions, libraries, museums, art galleries, theatres, concert halls, cinemas, schools, opera houses, universities and boarding schools.

Government

Council, consulates, county, courthouses, embassies, fire stations, borough, general needs, local authority, local government, schemes, supported housing, parliament, police stations, post offices and prisons.

Industrial

Breweries, factories, foundries and mills.

Military

Barracks, bunkers and castles.

Religious

Churches, cathedrals, chapels, mosques, monasteries and temples.

and many more

Apartments, arenas, business, bed and breakfast, beauty salons, cafes, bookshops, clinics, clubs, community halls, construction sites, depots, day nurseries, department stores, dental practices, fast-food restaurants, sport stadiums, hairdressers, holiday homes, holiday lets, hospices, hospitals, leasehold properties, pubs, village halls, nuclear premises, ships, open air events, offices, workshops and the workplace.

About

We support property owners, organisations and Responsible Persons across the UK in meeting their fire safety obligations.

At Fire Risk Assessment Network, we deliver professional, proportionate fire risk assessment in Richmond through experienced and accredited fire risk assessors operating nationwide. Our assessments are carried out in line with current UK fire safety legislation and recognised industry standards.

We work across a wide range of premises — from single properties to complex multi-site portfolios — ensuring fire risk assessments are suitable and sufficient for the building’s size, use and risk profile.

Our assessors hold relevant industry qualifications, recognised third-party certifications and professional accreditations. We understand the legal responsibilities placed on those with control of premises and ensure every assessment is clear, defensible and aligned with regulatory expectations.

Our mission is simple: To provide competent, compliant fire risk assessments across the UK — and to give clients confidence that their fire safety obligations are being properly addressed.

If you require a fire risk assessment for a single building or an entire portfolio, request a free quote today. We look forward to supporting you.

Richmond Fire Risk Assessments