BS3 · Bedminster
Fire Risk Assessment
in Bedminster
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- PAS 79-1:2020 (premises other than housing) and, for housing, BS 9792:2025, which superseded PAS 79-2:2020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
- £200 – £660 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 this part of South Bristol requires an understanding of the specific risks inherent in the local architecture. If you are responsible for a commercial or residential building, arranging a fire risk assessment in Bedminster is a necessary step to ensure the safety of your occupants and to meet your legal obligations. The area is characterised by dense Victorian terraces situated behind the East Street shopping area, alongside large-scale converted tobacco factory buildings that have been repurposed for office, studio, and residential use. These varied structures, often found within the BS3 postcode district, present unique challenges ranging from aging timber frames in shops to complex layouts in industrial conversions. A fire risk assessment in Bedminster typically costs £200 to £660 per assessment, though the final figure depends on the size and complexity of the building. This quote will be provided directly by the local firm we pass your enquiry to. This service is designed for landlords of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), business owners in retail units, and managers of converted blocks who need to identify potential hazards and implement necessary safety measures.
What the fire risk assessment covers
The assessment carried out by the firm we put you in touch with is a systematic evaluation of your premises to identify fire hazards and evaluate the risk to people. Several factors influence the scope of the work and the eventual price quoted by the local company. The total floor area and the number of storeys are primary considerations, as larger buildings require more time to inspect. The assessor who contacts you will also look at whether anyone sleeps on the premises, such as in flats or HMOs, which significantly increases the risk profile compared to a daylight-only office.
The complexity and number of escape routes are also evaluated, alongside how the building is currently used and the number of people typically present. Because Bedminster contains many older properties, the age of the building and whether it has been significantly altered or extended over time will be factored into the assessment. These changes often impact fire separation and the effectiveness of existing safety measures.
How the enquiry works
Bristol Fire Risk Assessment acts as a bridge between building owners and professional service providers. The process follows these four steps:
- You send the details of your property and requirements through our enquiry form.
- We pass these details to a local fire safety firm that covers the Bedminster area.
- That firm contacts you directly to provide a specific quote based on your building's needs.
- You deal with the firm directly to book the assessment and settle payment.
We are an enquiry service and do not carry out the assessments ourselves; the contract for the work is between you and the company we introduce.
The legal position for property owners
Fire safety in England is governed primarily by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Under this legislation, the ‘Responsible Person’ for almost every non-domestic premises—including the common parts of blocks of flats and HMOs—must ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out. This duty is non-delegable, meaning that while you can hire a competent person to perform the assessment, the legal responsibility for so that it is completed remains with the duty holder.
The legal landscape was further updated by section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, which came into force on 1 October 2023. This amendment introduced a significant change: all fire risk assessments must now be recorded in full, regardless of the number of employees or the size of the business. Previously, smaller entities were exempt from the recording requirement, but this is no longer the case. The assessment must also be reviewed regularly and whenever there is a material change to the building’s layout or use.
Professional assessments are normally carried out against established industry guidance, specifically BS 9792:2025 for housing and BS 9792:2025 for non-domestic premises. It is essential that the assessment is conducted by a competent person who has the necessary skills and experience to identify risks accurately. Enforcement of these regulations in Bedminster is the responsibility of the local fire and rescue service for most commercial settings, or the local authority in specific housing contexts. Please note that the information on this page is provided for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice for a specific building.
Questions duty holders ask
6 answers
How much does a fire risk assessment cost in Bedminster?
A fire risk assessment in Bedminster typically costs £200 to £660 per assessment. The exact price is determined by the local firm we put you in touch with, based on the specific characteristics of your property. Factors such as the number of floors, the presence of sleeping accommodation, and the complexity of the building's use will influence the final quote provided by the assessor.
Who is the Responsible Person for a building?
The Responsible Person is usually the employer, the building owner, or the managing agent who has control over the premises. In a business context, it is typically the employer. In residential blocks or HMOs, it is often the freeholder or the appointed management company. This person is legally accountable for so that fire safety duties, including the risk assessment, are carried out and documented.
How often does a fire risk assessment need reviewing?
There is no fixed expiry date for an assessment, but the law requires it to be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains valid. Most firms recommend an annual review, or a full re-assessment every three years. You must also review the assessment immediately if there is a material change to the building, such as structural alterations, a change in the type of occupants, or a change in the building's use.
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. If an inspection by the local fire and rescue service finds you are non-compliant, they may issue an enforcement notice. In serious cases, or following a fire where negligence is proven, the Responsible Person can face heavy fines or even imprisonment for significant safety failures.
Does the fire risk assessment have to be written down?
Yes. Since the commencement of section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 on 1 October 2023, all fire risk assessments must be recorded in full. The previous exemption for businesses with fewer than five employees has been removed. Every Responsible Person must now ensure they have a written record of their assessment and their fire safety arrangements to demonstrate compliance to the authorities.
Are you the company that will visit my premises?
No, Bristol Fire Risk Assessment is an enquiry service, not a firm of assessors. We do not attend sites or carry out the inspections ourselves. Our role is to take your property details and pass them to a local fire safety company. The assessor who contacts you will be from that independent firm, and you will deal with them directly for the quote and the assessment.
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.