BS2 · Old Market
Fire Risk Assessment
in Old Market
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- PAS 79-1:2020 (premises other than housing) and, for housing, BS 9792:2025, which superseded PAS 79-2:2020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 historic part of Bristol requires a specific understanding of the local building stock. If you are responsible for a property, arranging a fire risk assessment in Old Market is a primary step in so that the safety of those who live, work, or visit the premises. The area is characterised by its distinctive Georgian and Victorian frontages, many of which feature flats situated over shops, small offices, pubs, and various licensed venues along West Street and Old Market Street. These older structures in the BS2 postcode district often present unique challenges, such as timber-framed construction, shared stairwells, and complex internal layouts that have evolved over decades of use.
Whether you manage a traditional pub, a retail unit with residential accommodation above, or a small office block, you are likely required by law to have a valid assessment in place. A fire risk assessment in Old Market typically costs £200 to £660 per assessment, depending entirely on the size and complexity of the building. The final quote is provided directly by the local firm we put you in touch with, as Bristol Fire Risk Assessment operates as an enquiry service rather than a consultancy.
What the assessment covers
The fire risk assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of the building to identify potential fire hazards and determine the necessary safety measures. The scope of the work and the eventual cost are influenced by several practical factors related to the property. The floor area and the number of storeys are fundamental, as larger buildings require more time to inspect thoroughly. The assessor who contacts you will also consider whether anyone sleeps on the premises, such as in the flats above the shops on Old Market Street, as this significantly increases the risk profile and the requirements for early warning systems.
The number and complexity of escape routes are also examined, particularly in older Georgian or Victorian buildings where corridors may be narrow or shared between different businesses. The assessor will look at how the building is used and the number of people typically present, including staff, residents, and members of the public. Furthermore, the age of the building and whether it has been altered over time are critical; historical renovations can sometimes compromise fire compartmentation or create hidden voids that allow smoke to spread. The resulting report will highlight these issues and provide a prioritised action plan for the duty holder to follow.
How the enquiry works
As an enquiry service, we facilitate the connection between property owners and local fire safety professionals. The process is designed to be straightforward:
- You provide the details of your property in Old Market through our enquiry form.
- We pass these details to an established local fire safety firm.
- That firm contacts you directly to discuss the specifics of your building and provide a quote.
- You deal with the firm directly to arrange the site visit and receive your report.
We do not carry out the assessments ourselves, nor do we attend your site. Our role is to pass your enquiry to a local firm who can provide the professional service you require.
The legal position for property owners
The primary legislation governing fire safety in England and Wales is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation places the legal responsibility for fire safety on the "Responsible Person," which is typically the employer, building owner, or managing agent. This individual must ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out to protect the occupants of the premises.
The legal landscape was further 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 the Responsible Person must now record the fire risk assessment in full, regardless of the size of the business or the number of people employed. Previously, businesses with fewer than five employees were exempt from the requirement to record the assessment in writing, but this is no longer the case. All assessments must now be documented.
Assessments are normally carried out against established industry guidance, specifically BS 9792:2025 for housing and BS 9792:2025 for non-domestic premises. These British Standards provide a structured methodology for the assessment process. The law requires that the assessment is reviewed regularly and immediately if there has been a material change to the building, such as a change in use, structural alterations, or a significant increase in the number of people using the space.
The fire risk assessment must be carried out by a competent person who has sufficient training, experience, and knowledge. Failure to comply with these duties can lead to enforcement action. In Old Market, enforcement is typically handled by the local fire and rescue service or the local authority, depending on the specific type of premises. This page provides general information regarding fire safety obligations and should not be taken as specific legal advice for your particular building.
Questions duty holders ask
6 answers
How much does a fire risk assessment cost?
The cost of an assessment is determined by the size and use of the building. For the Georgian and Victorian properties typically found in Old Market, a fire risk assessment typically costs £200 to £660 per assessment. Small retail units or offices at the lower end of the scale will be cheaper, while larger multi-storey buildings or licensed venues with residential flats above will fall at the higher end. The firm we put you in touch with will provide a specific quote based on your details.
Who is the Responsible Person?
The Responsible Person is the individual or entity that has control over the premises. In a workplace, this is usually the employer. In other buildings, it is the person who has control of the premises in connection with the carrying on of a trade, business, or other undertaking. For the common parts of HMOs or blocks of flats, it is often the owner or the managing agent. They are legally accountable for so that fire safety duties are met.
How often does the assessment need reviewing?
The law states that a fire risk assessment must be reviewed by the Responsible Person regularly to keep it up to date. While the legislation does not specify a fixed timeframe, it is industry best practice to review the document annually. A review is also legally required if there is reason to suspect the current assessment is no longer valid or if there has been a significant change to the matters to which it relates, such as building work.
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. If the local fire and rescue service inspects your premises and finds you are non-compliant, they can issue an enforcement notice requiring you to rectify the situation within a set timeframe. In more serious cases, they can issue a prohibition notice, which can close part or all of the building until safety measures are improved.
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 buildings covered by the Fire Safety Order, regardless of the number of employees or the type of business. You must be able to produce the written record if requested by an enforcement officer from the fire service or local authority.
Are you the ones who will visit my building?
No, we are an enquiry service and not a fire safety consultancy. We do not attend sites or carry out assessments ourselves. When you submit your details through this website, we pass them to a local fire safety firm. That company will then contact you directly to provide a quote and arrange the site visit. You will deal with them directly for all aspects of the work, including payment and the delivery of the report.
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.