Fire Risk Assessments for Shops and Retail Premises

Fire risk assessments for shops, retail units and other premises open to the public across Widnes, Liverpool, Warrington, Manchester and Cheshire.

Our assessments are aligned to PAS 79-1:2020 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and take account of customers who don’t know your building.

Yes. If you are responsible for business premises in England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, kept up to date. Since 1 October 2023 every responsible person must record the full assessment in writing, whatever the size of the business, together with the name of the person or organisation who carried it out.

The responsible person is usually the employer, or whoever controls the premises. In shared buildings, each responsible person must cooperate and share information. Who is the responsible person?

• Customers: members of the public don’t know your escape routes, so clear signs, lighting and staff who can guide them out are essential.
• Stock and packaging: cardboard, plastics and seasonal stock build up quickly, especially in stockrooms and at busy times of year.
• Deliveries and waste: pallets and bins stored against the building or in escape routes.
• Exits: emergency exits must open easily and immediately while people are inside, even if doors are secured against theft.
• Electrical and display equipment: lighting, signage, chargers and heaters.
• Food and drink: cooking and hot equipment in cafés and food retail.
• Shared buildings: units in parades or shopping centres must coordinate with the landlord and neighbouring occupiers.
• Flats above shops: where there is accommodation above, the means of escape and separation between the shop and the flats need careful assessment.

• Fire exits blocked in stockrooms
• Packaging and cardboard building up
• Fire doors wedged open
• Bins or pallets stored against the building
• Staff not trained to evacuate customers

Your staff need to know how to raise the alarm, how to clear customers from the shop, and where to meet. We review your fire procedures, training records and fire drill arrangements as part of the assessment, and make sure they work for every shift, including weekends and seasonal staff.

We also deliver fire warden and fire safety awareness training on site.

• A written fire risk assessment aligned to PAS 79-1:2020, recording the assessor’s name as the law now requires.
• A prioritised action plan, so you know what to deal with first.
• Practical advice that fits how your shop actually trades.
• Guidance on when to review the assessment.

Other premises: Offices and small businesses  |  HMOs and landlords

• Who is the responsible person?
• Do I need a fire risk assessment, and who can do it?
• How often should we hold a fire drill?
• What fire safety training must staff have?

Other premises: Offices and small businesses  |  HMOs and landlords

Tell us the type of premises, its approximate size and location, and we’ll come back to you with a quotation.

Request a fire risk assessment quote →  |  Call 0151 374 0355