A fire risk assessment must be carried out by a ‘Competent Person’.
Our OSHCR-registered consultants are qualified to deliver professional fire risk assessments.
This is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The responsibility for ensuring this happens falls to the designated ‘Responsible Person’ for the premises (such as the business owner, landlord, or managing agent).
While there isn’t a single, legally-mandated qualification that defines competency, a person is considered competent if they have the necessary training, experience, and knowledge to carry out the assessment properly.
A competent person must have:
Essentially, they must be able to spot the risks and provide practical advice on how to fix them.
For a very small, simple premises (e.g., a small shop or a single-room office with few staff), the Responsible Person might feel they have sufficient knowledge to carry out their own assessment.
However, for most businesses, especially those in more complex buildings, hiring a professional fire risk assessor is the safest and most reliable option. You should always seek expert help if your premises:
🔥 Is large or has multiple floors/exits.
🔥 Has vulnerable occupants (e.g., a care home or school).
🔥 Stores or uses hazardous or flammable materials.
🔥 Has a complex layout that could make escape difficult.
An external assessor provides an impartial, expert view, ensuring nothing is missed and giving you peace of mind that your legal duties are met. 🔥
Protect your premises and ensure you are legally compliant. Book now or call us to schedule your assessment with our certified experts.
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