BS1 · Stokes Croft
Fire Risk Assessment
in Stokes Croft
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- PAS 79-1:2020 (premises other than housing) and, for housing, BS 9792:2025, which superseded PAS 79-2:2020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 vibrant part of Bristol requires a clear understanding of your safety obligations. If you are responsible for a building, obtaining a professional fire risk assessment in Stokes Croft is a necessary step to ensure the safety of occupants and the protection of the premises. This area, largely within the BS1 postcode district, is characterised by a unique architectural mix including converted industrial buildings and studios, bars, and late-licence venues. Many properties consist of flats located above ground-floor commercial units along the Cheltenham Road corridor. Because these buildings often feature complex layouts, shared escape routes, and mixed uses, a formal assessment is required for almost all non-domestic premises and the communal areas of residential blocks. A fire risk assessment in Stokes Croft typically costs £200 to £660 per assessment, though this figure depends entirely on the size and nature of the building. The specific quote for your property will be provided by the local firm we pass your enquiry to. By using our service, you can connect with professionals who understand the specific challenges posed by the older and repurposed structures common to this district.
What the assessment covers
A fire risk assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of a building to identify potential fire hazards and determine the necessary measures to reduce risk. The assessor who contacts you will examine various factors that influence the complexity and duration of the site visit. The floor area and the number of storeys are primary considerations, as larger buildings require more time to inspect thoroughly. The age of the building and whether it has been altered over time are also critical; many Stokes Croft properties have undergone significant internal changes from their original industrial or commercial designs, which can impact fire separation and compartmentation.
The company we put you in touch with will also look at how the building is used and by how many people. Premises with high occupancy levels or those where people sleep, such as flats above shops or hostels, require a more detailed level of scrutiny. The number and complexity of escape routes are assessed to ensure that everyone can exit the building safely in an emergency. All these variables—from the presence of combustible materials to the adequacy of fire doors and alarm systems—will influence the final price and the scope of the resulting report.
How the enquiry works
Bristol Fire Risk Assessment acts as a bridge between building owners and local service providers. We are not an assessment firm and do not carry out the site visits ourselves. 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 that covers the Stokes Croft area.
- That firm contacts you directly to provide a specific quote based on your building's requirements.
- You deal with the firm directly to arrange the assessment and handle payment; we do not remain involved in the technical work or the contract.
The legal position for duty holders
Fire safety in England is governed 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, owner, or landlord—has a legal duty to ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out. This is not a one-time task; the assessment must be reviewed regularly and whenever there is a material change to the building’s layout or use.
The legal landscape was further strengthened 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 the requirement for the Responsible Person to record the fire risk assessment in full, regardless of the number of employees or the size of the business. Previously, smaller entities were exempt from the recording requirement, but this is no longer the case. To ensure compliance and standardisation, assessments are normally carried out against the guidance found in BS 9792:2025 for housing and BS 9792:2025 for non-domestic premises.
It is a requirement that the assessment is carried out by a competent person who has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience. In Stokes Croft, enforcement of these regulations sits with the local fire and rescue service or the local authority, depending on the specific type of building. Failure to comply with these duties can lead to enforcement notices or prosecution. 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 Stokes Croft typically costs £200 to £660 per assessment. The final price is determined by the local firm we put you in touch with and depends on several factors, including the total floor area, the number of storeys, and the complexity of the building's use. A small retail unit will generally be at the lower end of the scale, while large converted industrial studios or multi-storey residential blocks will cost more due to the time required for a thorough inspection.
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. For buildings that are not workplaces, such as the communal areas of a block of flats, the Responsible Person is often the owner, the freeholder, or a managing agent. This person is legally accountable for so that fire safety duties, including the procurement of a valid fire risk assessment, are met to protect occupants and visitors.
How often does a fire risk assessment 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. It is standard practice to review the assessment annually, or sooner if there has been a material change to the building. Such changes include structural alterations, a change in the type of business operating on-site, or a significant increase in the number of people using the building. Regular reviews ensure that new hazards are identified and managed.
What happens if I do not have a fire risk assessment?
Failure to have a valid 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 an enforcement notice requiring you to rectify the situation within a specific timeframe. In cases of serious risk or persistent failure to comply, the authorities have the power to prosecute, which can result in significant fines or, in extreme cases, imprisonment.
Does the assessment have to be written down?
Yes. Following 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 every business and property owner, regardless of the number of staff employed. The written report serves as evidence that you have identified hazards and implemented necessary safety measures. It must be kept available for inspection by the relevant authorities and should be shared with other Responsible Persons in multi-occupied buildings.
Are you the company that visits my property?
No, we are an enquiry service and not a fire safety consultancy or assessment firm. We do not attend sites, carry out inspections, or hold professional accreditations ourselves. Our role is to take your details and pass them to a local firm that specialises in fire safety. That independent company will then contact you directly to provide a quote and carry out the work if you choose to instruct them. You will deal with them for all technical and financial aspects.
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.