BS16 · Staple Hill
Fire Risk Assessment
in Staple Hill
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- PAS 79-1:2020 (premises other than housing) and, for housing, BS 9792:2025, which superseded PAS 79-2:2020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 commercial property or a residential block requires a clear understanding of safety obligations, particularly when it involves a fire risk assessment in Staple Hill. This part of Bristol, situated within the BS16 postcode district, presents a specific set of challenges for building owners and managers. The area is characterised by a pedestrianised high street lined with retail units that frequently feature residential flats on the upper floors. Behind this commercial core, the landscape transitions into rows of Victorian and interwar terraces. These older structures, often converted or extended over decades, require careful consideration regarding fire separation and escape routes.
Whether you manage a shop on the High Street, a block of flats, or a small office, the law requires a competent assessment of fire hazards. Bristol Fire Risk Assessment operates as a dedicated enquiry service to help you fulfill this requirement. We do not carry out the inspections ourselves; instead, we connect you with a local firm that specialises in this field. A fire risk assessment in Staple Hill typically costs £180 to £600 per assessment, though the exact figure depends entirely on the specific building. The final quote will be provided directly by the firm we pass your enquiry to, so that it reflects the unique layout and use of your premises.
What the assessment covers
The fire risk assessment is a systematic evaluation of your premises to identify potential hazards and determine the adequacy of existing fire precautions. The local firm we put you in touch with will examine several factors that influence the complexity and the eventual cost of the report. The total floor area and the number of storeys are primary considerations, as larger buildings naturally require more time to inspect thoroughly.
The assessor will also look at whether anyone sleeps on the premises, such as in the flats situated above shops in Staple Hill, as life safety risks are significantly higher in residential settings. The number and complexity of escape routes are evaluated, alongside how the building is used and the number of people typically present. Given the age of many buildings in BS16, the assessor will pay close attention to the age of the structure and whether it has been altered over time. Previous renovations in Victorian or interwar terraces can sometimes compromise fire compartmentation, making a professional review essential for identifying hidden risks.
How the enquiry works
Bristol Fire Risk Assessment simplifies the process of finding a competent professional. It is important to understand that we are an enquiry service and not the ones performing the site visit or writing the report. The process follows these four steps:
- You send the details of your property to us via our enquiry form.
- We pass these details to a local fire safety firm that covers the Staple Hill area.
- That firm contacts you directly to discuss your requirements and provide a formal quote.
- You deal with the firm directly to arrange the assessment and handle payment.
By using this service, you can efficiently source a quote from a local provider who understands the specific building stock found in this part of Bristol.
The legal position for duty holders
The primary legislation governing fire safety in England and Wales is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This order places a legal duty on the ‘Responsible Person’—usually the building owner, employer, or landlord—to ensure that the premises are safe for occupants and visitors. Under this legislation, a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment must be carried out for almost every non-domestic premises, including the common parts of HMOs and purpose-built flats.
Recent changes have further clarified these obligations. Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, which has been in force since 1 October 2023, introduced stricter requirements for recording these assessments. Previously, small businesses with fewer than five employees were exempt from recording the assessment in writing. However, since section 156 commenced, 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.
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 reviewed regularly and specifically after any material change to the building’s layout or use. It is a legal requirement that the assessment is carried out by a competent person who has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience.
Enforcement of these regulations in Staple Hill sits with the local fire and rescue service or the local authority, depending on the specific type of building and its use. Failure to comply with the Fire Safety Order can lead to enforcement notices, fines, or prosecution. Please note that the information provided on this page is intended as general guidance for duty holders 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?
A fire risk assessment in Staple Hill typically costs £180 to £600 per assessment. This range reflects the diversity of buildings in the BS16 area, from small retail units to larger Victorian conversions. The final price is determined by the complexity, size, and use of the building. When you submit an enquiry through us, the local firm we put you in touch with will provide a specific quote based on your building's details.
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, the landlord, or a managing agent. They carry the ultimate legal liability for fire safety compliance.
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 fixed timeframe like 'annually', industry best practice suggests a review every twelve months for many premises. A review is mandatory if there is reason to suspect the current assessment is no longer valid or if there has been a significant change to the building, such as structural alterations or a change in occupancy.
What happens if I do not have one?
Failure to maintain a valid fire risk assessment is a breach of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. If an inspector from the local fire and rescue service visits your premises in Staple Hill and finds you lack a suitable assessment, they can issue an enforcement notice. In cases of serious risk or persistent non-compliance, this can lead to heavy fines, prohibited access to the building, or criminal prosecution against the Responsible Person.
Does it have to be written down?
Yes. Following the commencement of section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 on 1 October 2023, the requirement to record the fire risk assessment in full now applies to all buildings covered by the Fire Safety Order. The previous exemption for businesses with fewer than five employees has been removed. Every assessment must now be documented in writing to demonstrate that the Responsible Person has identified hazards and implemented necessary safety measures.
Will Bristol Fire Risk Assessment visit my property?
No, we do not attend sites or carry out inspections ourselves. We operate as an enquiry service designed to connect building managers and owners with local fire safety professionals. Once you submit your details, we pass them to a local firm that covers Staple Hill. That company will then contact you directly to provide a quote and, if you choose to instruct them, they will be the ones who carry out the physical assessment.
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.
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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.