Possibly the most common question asked. The simple answer is quite probably, yes. Every property (excluding a single occupancy domestic home) from an HMO to a block of flats, care home, nursery, school, community center, warehouse, hotel the list goes on MUST by law, have a “regular” fire risk assessment completed.
Fire risk assessment
Under the “Regulatory Reform (fire safety) Order 2005” it is law that "The responsible person must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk to which relevant persons are exposed for the purpose of identifying the general fire precautions he needs to take to comply with the requirements and prohibition imposed on him by or under this order."
In simple terms, this means it is the responsible person of any building accessed by the public (property, blocks of flats, church, school, etc.) responsibility to have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment carried out by a competent person.
Institution of Fire Engineers
LFB recommends fire risk assessors third-party audited under the competency council
The London Fire Brigade recommends fire risk assessors third-party audited under the competency council. Such as the Institution of Fire Engineers.
Even if this responsibility is given to another person, such as the leaseholder of premises, the owner/landlord still remains a responsible person and therefore can be held accountable if the fire risk assessment is not suitable and sufficient, carried out by a person without suitable qualifications and not reviewed on a regular basis, i.e., every 12 months.
Random inspections
The maximum penalty for failing to comply with this is two years imprisonment and unlimited fines even if there is no fire. Local fire brigades carry out random inspections of premises.
Insurance companies, in experience, will only pay out in the event of a fire if a current fire risk assessment can be provided.