BS48 · Nailsea
Fire Risk Assessment
in Nailsea
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- PAS 79-1:2020 (premises other than housing) and, for housing, BS 9792:2025, which superseded PAS 79-2:2020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
- £190 – £630 per assessment
Guide price only. The firm we pass your enquiry to sets its own price once it knows the building.
Building owners and managers responsible for commercial or residential property in North Somerset have a legal obligation to ensure their premises are safe for occupants and visitors. If you require a fire risk assessment in Nailsea, our enquiry service is designed to connect you with a local professional who understands the specific requirements of the BS48 postcode district. The town’s built environment is diverse, ranging from the central shopping precinct to postwar and modern housing estates, alongside various schools, care premises, and a small industrial estate. Each of these building types carries distinct risks, whether it is the high footfall of a retail unit, the vulnerable residents in a care home, or the specific hazards found in industrial workshops.
A fire risk assessment in Nailsea typically costs £190 to £630 per assessment, though this figure depends entirely on the size and complexity of the building. The final quote will be provided directly by the local firm we pass your enquiry to. This service ensures that duty holders in Nailsea can find a competent professional to help them navigate their safety obligations without having to search for individual contractors themselves.
What a fire risk assessment covers
The purpose of the assessment is to identify potential fire hazards, evaluate the risk to people, and suggest measures to remove or reduce those risks. The depth of the survey and the subsequent cost are influenced by several physical and operational factors. The total floor area and the number of storeys are primary considerations, as larger buildings naturally require more time to inspect. The assessor who contacts you will also look at the number and complexity of escape routes, so that they are sufficient for the number of people using the building at any one time.
Risk levels change significantly depending on how the building is used and whether anyone sleeps on the premises, such as in care homes or blocks of flats. The age of the building is another critical factor; older structures in Nailsea may have been built to different standards than modern estates, and any subsequent alterations or extensions can affect how fire or smoke might spread. The company we put you in touch with will evaluate these elements to provide a comprehensive report tailored to the specific layout and usage of your property.
How the enquiry works
We act as an intermediary to simplify the process of finding a local professional. We are not fire assessors ourselves and do not carry out the site work. The process follows these four steps:
- You send your property details to us via our enquiry form.
- We pass these details to a local fire safety firm covering the Nailsea area.
- That firm contacts you directly to discuss your needs and provide a quote.
- You deal with the firm directly to arrange the site visit and payment.
The legal position for duty holders
Fire safety in England and Wales is governed primarily by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation applies to virtually all non-domestic premises, including the common parts of blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation. Under this Order, the ‘Responsible Person’—usually the employer, building owner, or landlord—must ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out by a competent person.
The legal landscape was recently updated by section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, which came into force on 1 October 2023. A significant change introduced by this Act is that all fire risk assessments must now be recorded in full, regardless of the number of employees or the type of premises. Previously, small businesses were exempt from the requirement to record the findings in writing, but this is no longer the case. The assessment must be reviewed regularly and whenever there is a material change to the building’s layout or use.
Assessments are normally carried out against established guidance, specifically BS 9792:2025 for housing and BS 9792:2025 for non-domestic premises. These standards provide a structured methodology for the assessor to follow. In Nailsea, enforcement of these regulations typically sits with the local fire and rescue service or the local authority, who have the power to inspect premises and issue notices if safety standards are not met. 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
6 answers
How much does a fire risk assessment cost?
A fire risk assessment in Nailsea typically costs £190 to £630 per assessment. This range reflects the difference between a small, simple shop or office and a larger, multi-storey building or industrial unit. The final price is determined by the local firm we put you in touch with, based on the size, age, and complexity of your specific premises.
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. In buildings that are not workplaces, such as the common parts of a block of flats, it is usually the owner or the managing agent. This person carries the legal duty to ensure a fire risk assessment is completed and maintained.
How often does the assessment need reviewing?
The law states that the assessment must be kept up to date. While there is no fixed expiry date, it is standard practice to review the document annually. A new assessment is also required if there has been a material change to the building, such as structural alterations, a change in the way the building is used, or a significant increase in the number of occupants.
What happens if I do not have a fire risk assessment?
Failure to have a valid fire risk assessment is a breach of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The local fire and rescue service or local authority can carry out inspections and may issue enforcement or prohibition notices. In serious cases, a lack of adequate fire safety measures can lead to heavy fines or prosecution for the Responsible Person.
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, the Responsible Person must record the fire risk assessment in full. This requirement now applies to all buildings covered by the Fire Safety Order, removing previous exemptions for small businesses with fewer than five employees.
Do you carry out the fire risk assessment yourself?
No, we are an enquiry service rather than the assessor. We do not attend your site, hold any fire safety accreditations, or provide consultancy. Our role is to take your details and pass them to a local fire safety firm. That firm will then contact you directly to provide a quote and, if you choose to instruct them, perform the work.
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.