BS4 · Totterdown
Fire Risk Assessment
in Totterdown
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- PAS 79-1:2020 (premises other than housing) and, for housing, BS 9792:2025, which superseded PAS 79-2:2020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 property in this part of South Bristol must ensure their premises are compliant with current safety legislation. Arranging a fire risk assessment in Totterdown requires an understanding of the local built environment, which is characterised by steep, densely built Victorian terraces and a variety of small independent shops and cafes on Wells Road. These traditional structures, often located within the BS4 postcode district, frequently feature complex internal layouts or have been converted into flats or mixed-use commercial spaces. Such buildings typically require a professional assessment because their age, proximity to neighbouring properties, and vertical nature can complicate fire spread and evacuation procedures. A fire risk assessment in Totterdown typically costs £190 to £630 per assessment, although the final figure depends entirely on the specific building and its usage. This quote will be provided directly by the local firm we pass your enquiry to. Whether you manage a retail unit on the high street or a multi-storey residential conversion, a thorough review ensures that the safety of occupants is prioritised and that the legal obligations of the duty holder are met.
What a fire risk assessment covers
The assessment provided by the local firm we put you in touch with is a systematic evaluation of your premises to identify hazards and reduce the risk of fire. Several factors influence the scope of the work and the eventual cost of the service. The total floor area and the number of storeys are primary considerations, as larger or taller Victorian buildings in Totterdown require more time to inspect thoroughly. The assessor who contacts you will also consider whether anyone sleeps on the premises, such as in flats above shops, which significantly increases the life safety risk.
The number and complexity of escape routes are examined to ensure occupants can exit safely in an emergency. The age of the building is a significant factor, particularly if the property has been altered over the decades, as modern fire-stopping measures may be absent or compromised by previous renovations. The company will also look at how the building is used and by how many people, as high-occupancy environments or those with high-risk activities require more robust fire management strategies.
How the enquiry works
Bristol Fire Risk Assessment acts as a bridge between building managers and local service providers. We do not carry out the assessments ourselves, and we do not attend your site. The process follows these four steps:
- You send the details of your Totterdown property through our enquiry form.
- We pass these details to a local fire safety firm that covers the BS4 area.
- That firm contacts you directly to discuss your requirements and provide a quote.
- You deal with the chosen company directly for the duration of the assessment and any follow-up work.
The legal position for property owners
Fire safety in England and Wales is governed primarily by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This legislation places a legal duty on the ‘Responsible Person’—usually the employer, owner, or landlord—to ensure that the premises are safe. Furthermore, section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, which has been in force since 1 October 2023, has introduced significant changes to how these duties are fulfilled.
The law now requires that the Responsible Person for almost every non-domestic premises must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out. Since the commencement of section 156, the assessment must be recorded in full, regardless of the number of people employed or the size of the business. Previously, smaller businesses were exempt from the recording requirement, but this is no longer the case. The assessment should be reviewed regularly and must be updated after any material change to the building’s layout, use, or occupancy levels.
Professional assessments are normally carried out against established guidance, specifically BS 9792:2025 for non-domestic premises and BS 9792:2025 for housing. It is a legal requirement that the assessment is carried out by a competent person who has sufficient training, experience, and knowledge. In Totterdown, enforcement of these regulations sits with the local fire and rescue service for commercial and mixed-use buildings, or the local authority for certain residential settings. Failure to comply can lead to enforcement notices or prosecution. Please note that the information on this page is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice for a specific building.
Questions duty holders ask
6 answers
How much does a fire risk assessment cost?
The cost of an assessment varies depending on the size, age, and complexity of the property. For a typical premises in Totterdown, a fire risk assessment usually costs between £190 to £630. The final price is determined by the local firm we put you in touch with, based on factors such as the number of storeys and the type of business operating on-site. You will receive a bespoke quote directly from the contractor after they review 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 buildings that are not workplaces, such as the common parts of a block of flats, it is typically the owner or the managing agent. This person is legally accountable for so that the fire risk assessment is completed and that any identified fire safety improvements are implemented to protect the occupants of the building.
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. Most professional firms recommend an annual review. However, you must arrange a new assessment if there is 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 people who use the premises.
What happens if I do not have a fire risk assessment?
Failure to have a valid, recorded 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 property 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 were found to be inadequate, the Responsible Person can face heavy fines or even imprisonment.
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, all fire risk assessments must now be recorded in full. This applies to all buildings covered by the Fire Safety Order, regardless of the number of employees. Previously, businesses with fewer than five employees were exempt from recording their findings, but that exemption has been removed to ensure greater transparency and safety for all occupants.
Do you carry out the fire risk assessment yourself?
No, Bristol Fire Risk Assessment is an enquiry service and not a consultancy or firm of assessors. We do not attend your site, and we do not carry out the inspections. Our role is to take your enquiry and pass it to a local fire safety company that operates in the Totterdown area. You will then deal with that firm directly for your quote, the site visit, and the final written 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.