BA1 · Bath
Fire Risk Assessment
in Bath
The Responsible Person for almost every non-domestic premises must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and, since section 156 commenced, must record it in full regardless of how many people are employed. It must be reviewed regularly and after any material change.
Duty summary
England & Wales
- Duty
- Fire Risk Assessment
- Instrument
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Also
- section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, in force since 1 October 2023
- Standard
- PAS 79-1:2020 (premises other than housing) and, for housing, BS 9792:2025, which superseded PAS 79-2:2020
- Frequency
- Reviewed regularly, and after any material change to the building or its use
- Carried out by
- A competent person
- Enforced by
- Avon Fire and Rescue Service
- Guide price
- £220 – £720 per assessment
Guide price only. The firm we pass your enquiry to sets its own price once it knows the building.
Managing a property in a World Heritage centre presents unique challenges for duty holders. If you are responsible for a building, arranging a professional fire risk assessment in Bath is a necessary step to ensure the safety of occupants and the protection of historic fabric. The city is defined by its listed Georgian terraces, many of which have been extensively converted into modern flats, offices, boutique hotels, and guest houses. Furthermore, the presence of two universities has created a substantial market for shared housing and large HMOs, particularly within the BA1 postcode district. These multi-occupied buildings, often featuring complex internal layouts and aged timber structures, require careful evaluation to manage fire risks effectively.
A fire risk assessment in Bath typically costs £220 to £720 per assessment, though the final figure is determined by the specific nature of the building. The firm we pass your enquiry to will provide a formal quote based on your requirements. This service is essential for any non-domestic premises, including the common parts of residential blocks, to identify potential hazards and establish necessary safety measures. By using this enquiry service, you can connect with a local firm capable of navigating the specific architectural demands of Bath’s historic and contemporary building stock.
What the assessment covers
The fire risk assessment is a systematic evaluation of your premises to identify fire hazards and determine the likelihood of a fire occurring. The complexity and duration of the site visit, and subsequently the cost, are influenced by several physical and operational factors. The total floor area and the number of storeys are primary considerations, as larger buildings require more time to inspect thoroughly. The company we put you in touch with will also look at how the building is used and the number of people typically present.
Risk levels increase significantly if anyone sleeps on the premises, such as in hotels, hostels, or converted flats, which necessitates a more rigorous look at detection and warning systems. The assessor who contacts you will examine the number and complexity of escape routes, so that they are protected and lead to a place of ultimate safety. The age of the building is a critical factor in Bath; older properties that have been altered over decades often have hidden voids or compromised compartmentation that must be accounted for. The firm will assess whether these alterations meet modern safety expectations or require remedial action.
How the enquiry works
Bristol Fire Risk Assessment acts as a bridge between building owners and technical specialists. We are not a consultancy and do not carry out the assessments ourselves. The process follows these four steps:
- You submit your building details and requirements through our enquiry form.
- We pass these details to a local fire safety firm with experience in the Bath area.
- That firm contacts you directly to discuss the site and provide a formal quote.
- You deal with the local firm directly to arrange the site visit and receive your report.
This process ensures you are connected with a competent professional who understands the local building landscape while allowing you to manage the contract directly with the service provider.
The legal position for duty holders
Fire safety in England is governed primarily by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation applies to virtually all non-domestic premises, including the communal areas of blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation. Under this Order, the ‘Responsible Person’—usually the employer, building owner, or managing agent—has a statutory duty to ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out. This is a mandatory requirement designed to protect life safety by identifying how to prevent fires and how to keep people safe if a fire starts.
Recent legislative changes have strengthened these requirements. Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, which has been in force since 1 October 2023, mandates that all fire risk assessments must be recorded in full. Previously, small employers were exempt from the recording requirement, but this is no longer the case; the assessment must be documented regardless of the number of employees or the size of the business. The work is normally carried out against established industry guidance, specifically BS 9792:2025 for housing and BS 9792:2025 for non-domestic premises.
The assessment must be carried out by a competent person who has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to evaluate the specific risks of the property. Once completed, the document must be reviewed regularly and immediately if there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid or if a material change has been made to the building or its use. Enforcement of these regulations in Bath is the responsibility of the local fire and rescue service or the local authority, depending on the specific use of the building. Please note that the information provided on this page is for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice for a specific building.
Questions duty holders ask
7 answers
How much does a fire risk assessment cost?
A fire risk assessment in Bath typically costs £220 to £720 per assessment. This range reflects the difference between small, straightforward commercial units and larger, more complex multi-storey residential or heritage buildings. The final price is set by the local firm we put you in touch with, based on the size of the premises, the number of occupants, and the complexity of the building’s layout and fire safety systems.
Who is the Responsible Person for a building?
The Responsible Person is usually the individual or entity that has control over the premises. In a workplace, this is typically the employer. For buildings that are not workplaces, such as the common parts of a block of flats, it is usually the owner, freeholder, or the managing agent. This person carries the legal weight of so that the fire risk assessment is completed and that all identified safety measures are implemented and maintained.
How often does a fire risk assessment need reviewing?
There is no fixed expiry date for a fire risk assessment, but the law requires it to be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains valid. Most professional firms recommend an annual review for high-risk buildings or those with sleeping occupants. A review is also legally required whenever there is a material change to the building’s structure, a change in the type of occupants, or after a near-miss or fire incident.
What happens if I do not have a fire risk assessment?
Failure to provide a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is a breach of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This can lead to enforcement action by the local fire and rescue service. Consequences range from formal alterations notices and enforcement notices to fines or prosecution in serious cases. More importantly, lacking an assessment means you may be unaware of significant risks to the lives of those using your building.
Does the fire risk assessment have to be written down?
Yes. Following the commencement of section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 on 1 October 2023, all fire risk assessments must be recorded in full. This applies to all buildings covered by the Fire Safety Order, regardless of the number of people employed or the size of the premises. The written report serves as evidence that you have met your legal duty and provides a clear action plan for safety improvements.
Do you carry out the fire risk assessment yourself?
No, Bristol Fire Risk Assessment is an enquiry service, not a fire safety consultancy. We do not attend your site, and we do not employ the assessors. Our role is to take your specific requirements and pass them to a local fire safety firm that operates in the Bath area. That firm will then contact you directly to provide a quote and, if you choose to instruct them, carry out the professional assessment.
Is this page providing legal advice for my property?
The information provided here is intended for general guidance and to help building managers understand their broad obligations under UK fire safety law. It does not constitute legal advice for any specific building or situation. Because every property in Bath—from Georgian conversions to modern university blocks—has unique risks, you should always consult with a competent professional regarding the specific requirements of your premises.
Sources and review
Checked against Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Building Safety Act 2022 s.156, PAS 79-1:2020 and BS 9792:2025 on . We recheck this page against the legislation quarterly, and sooner if the law changes. Spotted something wrong? Tell us at enquiries@bristolfireriskassessment.co.uk and we will correct it.
Fire Risk Assessment nearby
Other duties at the same premises
This page is general information about fire safety law in England and Wales. It is not a fire risk assessment and it is not legal advice. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 the Responsible Person must ensure an assessment is carried out by a competent person.