BS9 · Stoke Bishop
Fire Risk Assessment
in Stoke Bishop
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- PAS 79-1:2020 (premises other than housing) and, for housing, BS 9792:2025, which superseded PAS 79-2:2020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
- £210 – £690 per assessment
Guide price only. The firm we pass your enquiry to sets its own price once it knows the building.
Managing a property on the fringes of the Downs requires a clear understanding of your safety obligations. If you are responsible for a property in the BS9 postcode district, securing a professional fire risk assessment in Stoke Bishop is a necessary step in so that the safety of your occupants and remaining compliant with national legislation. The building stock in this part of Bristol is varied, ranging from large detached housing often converted into flats or offices, to substantial university halls of residence that house hundreds of students. These premises, along with local shops, care homes, and schools, require a formal assessment because they are either workplaces or contain communal areas in multi-occupied residential buildings.
A fire risk assessment in Stoke Bishop typically costs £210 to £690 per assessment, though the final figure is determined by the specific nature of the building and its use. Bristol Fire Risk Assessment operates as an enquiry service; we do not carry out the inspections ourselves. Instead, we receive your details and pass them to a local firm. The company we put you in touch with will provide you with a formal quote based on your specific requirements and the complexity of the site.
What the assessment covers
The fire risk assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of a building to identify potential hazards and determine the likelihood of a fire occurring. The scope of the work and the resulting price are influenced by several physical and operational factors. The assessor who contacts you will look at the floor area and the number of storeys, as larger buildings naturally require more time to inspect thoroughly. The age of the building is also a significant factor, particularly in Stoke Bishop where many older properties have been altered or extended over the decades, potentially impacting the original fire separation and compartmentation.
The way the building is used and the number of people inside are critical considerations. Assessments for premises where people sleep, such as halls of residence or sheltered housing, are more complex than those for standard office environments. The assessor will evaluate the number and complexity of escape routes, so that they are sufficient for the occupancy levels. They will also review fire detection systems, emergency lighting, and firefighting equipment. Any recent structural changes or changes in the building's purpose will be factored into the final report to ensure the risk profile is accurate.
How the enquiry works
We act as a bridge between building owners and professional service providers. The process follows four straightforward steps:
- You send the details of your property and your requirements to us via our enquiry form.
- We pass these details to a competent local fire safety firm that covers the Stoke Bishop area.
- That firm contacts you directly to discuss the building and provide a specific quote for the work.
- You deal with the firm directly to arrange the site visit and receive your completed documentation.
Please be aware that we are an enquiry service and are not the ones doing the work or attending your premises.
The legal position
Fire safety in England is governed primarily by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation applies to almost all non-domestic premises, including the communal parts of blocks of flats and houses in multiple occupation. Under this Order, the ‘Responsible Person’—typically the employer, building owner, or managing agent—has a legal duty to ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out. This is a mandatory requirement designed to protect life and property from the effects of fire.
The legal landscape was further updated by section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, which came into force on 1 October 2023. This amendment removed the previous exemption that allowed some small businesses to keep only a verbal record. Now, the Responsible Person must record the full fire risk assessment in writing, regardless of the number of employees or the size of the business. The assessment must be reviewed regularly to remain valid and must be updated immediately following any 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. It is essential that the assessment is carried out by a competent person who has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience. Enforcement of these regulations in Stoke Bishop is the responsibility of the local fire and rescue service or the local authority, depending on the specific type of building. Failure to comply can lead to enforcement notices or prosecution. Please note that the information provided here 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 Stoke Bishop typically costs £210 to £690 per assessment. This range reflects the difference between a small, simple commercial unit and a larger, more complex residential or educational building. The specific price for your property will be determined by the local firm we put you in touch with, who will provide a quote based on the size, age, and usage of your premises.
Who is the Responsible Person?
The Responsible Person is usually the individual or entity that has control over the premises. In a workplace, this is typically the employer. In other buildings, such as the communal areas of flats, it is often the building owner, freeholder, or a designated managing agent. This person carries the legal burden of so that fire safety duties, including the procurement of a risk assessment, are fulfilled to protect the occupants.
How often does it need reviewing?
There is no fixed expiry date for a fire risk assessment, but the law requires it to be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains valid. Best practice for most buildings is an annual review. However, a new assessment must be commissioned immediately if there has been a material change to the building, such as structural alterations, a change in the type of occupants, or a change in how the building is used.
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 the local fire and rescue service or local authority inspects your premises and finds you are non-compliant, they can issue formal enforcement or prohibition notices. In serious cases, or where a fire occurs and safety measures are found to be lacking, the Responsible Person may face heavy fines or prosecution.
Does the assessment have to be written down?
Yes, as of 1 October 2023, following the commencement of section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, all fire risk assessments must be recorded in full. Previously, small employers with fewer than five staff were exempt from the recording requirement, but this is no longer the case. Every Responsible Person must now ensure they have a written copy of their assessment available for inspection by the relevant authorities.
Who will attend my property to do the work?
As an enquiry service, Bristol Fire Risk Assessment does not attend your site or carry out the inspections. When you submit your details to us, we pass them to a competent local firm that specialises in fire safety. That firm will contact you directly to provide a quote and, if you choose to proceed, they will send their own qualified professional to your premises in Stoke Bishop to conduct the 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.
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.