BS9 · Henleaze
Fire Risk Assessment
in Henleaze
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- PAS 79-1:2020 (premises other than housing) and, for housing, BS 9792:2025, which superseded PAS 79-2:2020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 requires a clear understanding of safety obligations, particularly when it comes to securing a professional fire risk assessment in Henleaze. This part of North Bristol, primarily within the BS9 postcode district, features a distinct mix of property types that carry specific fire safety requirements. The area is largely defined by its interwar detached and semi-detached housing, many of which have been converted into flats or HMOs. Along the shopping parade on Henleaze Road, retail units often have residential or office space above, while the local dental and veterinary premises and various care homes in the neighbourhood represent higher-risk environments due to the nature of their occupants and equipment.
Our role is to act as an enquiry service, connecting building owners and managers with local fire safety firms who possess the necessary expertise for these specific building types. A fire risk assessment in Henleaze typically costs £200 to £660 per assessment, though the final figure depends entirely on the size and complexity of the building. The firm we pass your enquiry to will provide a specific quote based on your premises. Whether you manage a small shop or a large residential care facility, so that a competent person evaluates the site is a fundamental part of your duty as a property manager.
What the assessment covers
The fire risk assessment is a systematic evaluation of your premises to identify hazards and determine the likelihood of a fire occurring. The scope of the work and the eventual 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 assessor who contacts you will also look closely at the number and complexity of escape routes; a simple shop with a single exit is less complex than a multi-storey building with internal protected stairways and fire doors.
Risk levels are heavily weighted by whether anyone sleeps on the premises, which is why care homes and converted interwar housing in Henleaze require detailed attention. The way the building is used and the number of people typically present—including staff, visitors, or vulnerable residents—will dictate the necessary safety measures. Furthermore, the age of the building and whether it has been significantly altered over the years will be assessed, as older structures often have hidden voids or materials that do not meet modern standards. The company we put you in touch with will examine ignition sources, fuel loads, and the adequacy of existing fire detection and equipment.
How the enquiry works
We provide a straightforward process to help you find a local professional without the need for extensive searching.
- You send the details of your Henleaze property through our enquiry form.
- We pass these details to a local fire safety firm with experience in your sector.
- That firm contacts you directly to provide a quote and discuss their availability.
- You deal with the firm directly to arrange the site visit and payment.
Please note that Bristol Fire Risk Assessment is an enquiry service and not a consultancy; we do not attend your site or carry out the assessments ourselves.
The legal position
Fire safety in England and Wales is governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation places the legal burden of safety on the ‘Responsible Person’, usually the employer, building owner, or managing agent. Further requirements were introduced by section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, which came into force on 1 October 2023. These changes mean that 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 the number of people employed. Previously, smaller businesses were exempt from the recording requirement, but this is no longer the case.
The work is normally carried out against established industry guidance, specifically BS 9792:2025 for housing and BS 9792:2025 for non-domestic premises. These standards provide a methodology to ensure the assessment is thorough and consistent. The law requires that the assessment is carried out by a competent person—someone with sufficient training, experience, and knowledge to identify risks accurately. Enforcement of these regulations in Henleaze sits with the local fire and rescue service for most commercial settings, or the local authority where residential housing standards are concerned. It is a legal requirement to review the assessment regularly and whenever there is a material change to the building or its use. Please note that the information on this page is intended as 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?
A fire risk assessment in Henleaze typically costs £200 to £660 per assessment. This range reflects the difference between a small retail unit on Henleaze Road and a larger, more complex building such as a care home or a block of flats. The final price is determined by the local firm we pass your enquiry to, based on the size of the building, the number of occupants, and the complexity of the fire safety systems currently in place.
Who is the Responsible Person?
The Responsible Person is a legal term defined under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In a workplace, this is usually the employer. In buildings that are not workplaces, such as the common parts of a block 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. They are legally accountable for so that a fire risk assessment is completed by a competent person.
How often does it need reviewing?
The law states that a fire risk assessment must be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains valid. While the legislation does not specify a strict timeframe, industry best practice is generally an annual review. However, a review must be conducted immediately if there is reason to suspect the current assessment is no longer valid or if there has been a material change to the building, such as structural alterations, a change in use, or a significant increase in the number of occupants.
What happens if I do not have one?
Failure to have a valid fire risk assessment is a breach of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Enforcement authorities, such as the local fire and rescue service, have the power to issue alterations, enforcement, or prohibition notices. In serious cases of non-compliance where lives are put at risk, the Responsible Person can face heavy fines or even imprisonment. Having a professional assessment helps demonstrate that you are meeting your legal obligations to keep occupants safe.
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, the law requires that the entirety of the fire risk assessment must be recorded in writing. This applies to all buildings covered by the Fire Safety Order, regardless of the size of the business or the number of employees. Previously, businesses with fewer than five employees were exempt from recording the findings, but this exemption has been removed to ensure better safety records.
Who actually carries out the assessment?
The assessment is carried out by a competent person from a local fire safety firm. Bristol Fire Risk Assessment is an enquiry service that facilitates the connection between you and a local provider; we do not employ the assessors or attend your premises ourselves. Once we pass your details to a firm, you will deal with them directly. They will provide the expertise and the final written report following their site visit to your Henleaze property.
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.