BS15 · Hanham
Fire Risk Assessment
in Hanham
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- PAS 79-1:2020 (premises other than housing) and, for housing, BS 9792:2025, which superseded PAS 79-2:2020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
- £180 – £600 per assessment
Guide price only. The firm we pass your enquiry to sets its own price once it knows the building.
Managing a property requires attention to various safety obligations, one of the most significant being the provision of a fire risk assessment in Hanham. This part of South Gloucestershire, primarily within the BS15 postcode district, features a distinct mix of property types that require professional oversight. The area is characterised by extensive suburban housing, which often includes houses in multiple occupation or purpose-built flats. Towards the river, the landscape shifts to include local high street shops, traditional pubs, and small commercial units. Each of these premises carries specific risks, from the kitchen hazards in a riverside pub to the communal escape routes in a block of flats.
Bristol Fire Risk Assessment acts as an enquiry service to help you find a suitable provider for these checks. We do not carry out the assessments ourselves; instead, we pass your details to a local firm that specialises in this field. A fire risk assessment in Hanham typically costs £180 to £600 per assessment, depending entirely on the size and complexity of the building. The final quote will be provided directly by the firm we put you in touch with, so that the price reflects the specific requirements of your premises.
What the assessment covers
The fire risk assessment is a comprehensive review of your building to identify potential fire hazards and determine the necessary safety measures. The complexity of the work and the resulting price 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 assessor who contacts you will also look at the age of the building and whether it has been significantly altered or extended over time, as older structures often present different challenges regarding fire spread and containment.
Occupancy levels and the way the building is used are equally important. The firm will need to know if anyone sleeps on the premises, such as in flats, HMOs, or residential care settings, as this necessitates a higher level of protection. They will evaluate the number and complexity of escape routes, so that they are sufficient for the number of people typically present. The presence of vulnerable individuals or high-risk commercial activities will also be factored into the scope of the work.
How the enquiry works
We operate as a bridge between building managers and professional service providers. The process follows four straightforward steps:
- You submit your property details and contact information through our enquiry form.
- We pass these details to a local fire safety firm that covers the Hanham area.
- That firm contacts you directly to discuss your requirements and provide a specific quote.
- You deal with the firm directly to arrange the site visit and payment; we are not involved in the assessment or the subsequent report.
The legal position for Hanham property owners
Fire safety in England is governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation applies to almost all non-domestic premises, including the common parts of residential buildings. Under this Order, the ‘Responsible Person’—usually the employer, owner, or landlord—has a legal duty to ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out. This is a mandatory requirement to ensure the safety of all ‘relevant persons’ who may be on or near the premises.
Recent changes have further clarified these obligations. Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, which has been in force since 1 October 2023, amended the Fire Safety Order. The most significant change for duty holders is that the fire risk assessment must now be recorded in full, regardless of the number of employees or the type of business. Previously, smaller businesses were exempt from the recording requirement, but this is no longer the case. All findings, including the measures taken to mitigate risk, must be documented.
Assessments are typically carried out against established industry guidance. For non-domestic premises, this is usually BS 9792:2025, while housing-related assessments generally follow PAS 79-1:2020. The law stipulates that the assessment must be conducted by a competent person who has sufficient training and experience. Once completed, the document must be reviewed regularly and immediately if there is any material change to the building’s layout or use.
In Hanham, enforcement of these regulations is the responsibility of the local fire and rescue service or the local authority, depending on the specific nature of the building. Failure to comply can lead to enforcement notices or prosecution. Please note that the information on this page is provided for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice for a specific building or situation.
Questions duty holders ask
6 answers
How much does a fire risk assessment cost?
The cost of an assessment varies based on the size and use of the building. A fire risk assessment in Hanham typically costs £180 to £600 per assessment. A small shop or a simple office will sit at the lower end of this scale, while larger commercial units, pubs, or multi-storey residential blocks will cost more due to the time required on-site. The specific price for your property will be confirmed by the local firm we put you in touch with.
Who is the Responsible Person?
The Responsible Person is the individual or entity accountable for fire safety. In a workplace, this is usually the employer. In buildings that are not workplaces, such as the communal areas of flats, it is the person who has control of the premises, which could be the freeholder, a residents' management company, or a managing agent. If you are a business owner or landlord in Hanham, you likely hold this legal responsibility and must ensure an assessment is completed.
How often does the assessment need reviewing?
The law does not set a rigid expiry date, but it requires the assessment to be reviewed regularly to remain valid. In practice, most firms recommend an annual review for high-risk premises or every two to three years for lower-risk sites. You must also arrange a review if there has been a significant change to the building, such as structural alterations, a change in the way the building is used, or an increase in the number of occupants.
What happens if I do not have a fire risk assessment?
Failure to maintain a valid fire risk assessment is a breach of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. If the local fire and rescue service inspects your premises and finds you are non-compliant, they can issue an informal notice or a formal enforcement notice requiring improvements. In serious cases involving significant risk to life, they have the power to issue a prohibition notice, closing the building until safety measures are addressed, or to pursue prosecution.
Does the 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. This applies to all businesses and residential landlords, regardless of the number of staff employed. The company we put you in touch with will provide a comprehensive written report that identifies hazards and lists the necessary actions you must take to comply with the law.
Will Bristol Fire Risk Assessment visit my property?
No, we do not attend sites or carry out any physical inspections. We act exclusively as an enquiry service for Hanham and the wider Bristol area. Our role is to collect your requirements and pass them to a local fire safety company. That independent firm will be the one to provide your quote, visit your premises, and produce the final fire risk assessment report. You will deal with them directly for all technical and financial matters.
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.