Fire Risk Assessment
in Bristol city centre

Building owners and managers responsible for commercial or residential property are required to ensure their premises are safe for occupants and visitors. If you are responsible for a property, arranging a fire risk assessment in Bristol city centre is a primary step in meeting your legal obligations. The city centre, largely covered by the BS1 postcode district, contains a diverse mix of building types that each present unique fire safety challenges. This includes retail units and upper-floor offices around Broadmead and Cabot Circus, bars, hotels and converted warehouses towards the Old City, as well as large purpose-built student accommodation blocks serving both universities.

These premises require professional assessment because of their high occupancy levels, complex layouts, or historic construction methods. A fire risk assessment in Bristol city centre typically costs £210 to £690 per assessment, though this figure depends entirely on the specific building. The firm we pass your enquiry to will provide a tailored quote based on your requirements. As an enquiry service, we do not conduct the site visits ourselves; instead, we connect you with a local firm that has the necessary experience to evaluate your specific property type.

What the assessment covers

The fire risk assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of a building to identify potential fire hazards and determine the necessary measures to ensure the safety of people on the premises. The assessor who contacts you will look at several factors that influence the scope and complexity of the work. The floor area and number of storeys are fundamental, as larger buildings require more time to inspect. The age of the building is also significant, particularly in the Old City where historic structures may have been altered over decades, potentially impacting fire separation.

The way the building is used and the number of people who occupy it are critical considerations. For example, whether anyone sleeps on the premises—such as in hotels or student blocks—significantly increases the life safety risk and the depth of the assessment required. The assessor will also evaluate the number and complexity of escape routes, so that they are sufficient for the occupancy levels. Any previous structural alterations or changes in use will be reviewed to ensure they have not compromised existing fire safety measures.

How the enquiry works

We act as a bridge between building managers and fire safety professionals. Our process is designed to be straightforward and transparent:

1. You send the details of your property and your requirements through our enquiry form.
2. We pass these details to a local fire safety firm that operates within the Bristol area.
3. That firm contacts you directly to discuss the specifics of your building and provide a formal quote.
4. You deal with the firm directly to arrange the site visit and receive your completed report.

It is important to note that Bristol Fire Risk Assessment is an enquiry service and not a consultancy; we do not carry out the assessments or employ the engineers who attend your site.

The legal position

Fire safety in England is governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation places the legal burden on the ‘Responsible Person’—usually the employer, owner, or landlord—to ensure the premises are safe. Furthermore, section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, which came into force on 1 October 2023, introduced significant changes. Under this new legislation, the Responsible Person for almost every non-domestic premises must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and must record the findings in full, regardless of how many people are employed. Previously, businesses with fewer than five employees were exempt from the recording requirement, but this is no longer the case.

Assessments are normally carried out against established guidance, specifically BS 9792:2025 for housing and BS 9792:2025 for non-domestic premises. The law requires that the assessment is carried out by a competent person who has sufficient training and experience. Once completed, the document must be reviewed regularly and immediately after any material change to the building or its use. Enforcement of these regulations in Bristol city centre sits with the local fire and rescue service or the local authority, depending on the specific type of building. Please note that this page provides general information regarding legislation and does not constitute legal advice for a specific building or situation.