At Bath & West Fire & Safety, we believe fire risk assessments should do one thing above all else: keep people safe.
A fire risk assessment should never be a box-ticking exercise, a generic document or something that is produced simply to satisfy an inspection.
It should identify the real risks within a building, explain what needs to be done to control those risks and provide the Responsible Person with a clear, practical plan for keeping people safe.
That is why we welcome the Government’s ongoing work towards mandatory accreditation for fire risk assessors.
A significant change for the fire-safety industry
Following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the Government has been developing proposals to introduce mandatory accreditation for fire risk assessors.
The consultation on the proposals closed in June 2026, and the Government is currently analysing the responses. A formal Government response is expected during Q4 2026, with legislation anticipated to establish independently verified competence requirements, subject to Parliamentary time.
The objective is straightforward: to create a more consistent and professional framework for people undertaking fire risk assessments.
We believe that is a positive step.
Steve Milne, Managing Director says:
“For too long we have been finding alarming evidence of poor fire risk assessments. This move to legislate is good news for legitimate and accredited businesses in the fire and safety industry and excellent news for the safety of the general public.”
We’ve seen first-hand why this matters
At Bath & West Fire & Safety, we regularly encounter businesses that have an existing fire risk assessment but are still left with significant unanswered questions.
Sometimes the assessment is too generic.
Sometimes important risks have been missed.
Sometimes recommendations are vague or don’t explain what action is actually required.
And sometimes an assessment has been completed, but nobody has followed through on the actions identified.
A fire risk assessment is only useful if it accurately reflects the building and the way it is being used.
That means looking beyond a checklist.
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all fire risk assessment
A small office, a restaurant, a care home, a school, a warehouse and a historic building all present very different fire risks.
Our approach is therefore to assess the building, its occupants and the activities taking place within it.
We look at issues including:
- potential ignition sources;
- combustible materials and fuel loads;
- electrical equipment;
- heating and cooking;
- storage arrangements;
- escape routes and exits;
- fire doors and compartmentation;
- fire detection and alarm systems;
- emergency lighting;
- firefighting equipment;
- staff training;
- emergency procedures;
- vulnerable people and evacuation arrangements; and
- any specific hazards associated with the use of the premises.
We then consider what can be eliminated, reduced or otherwise controlled.
Our fire risk assessment service covers businesses and organisations across Bath, Wiltshire, Somerset and the surrounding areas, including offices, shops, hospitality premises, care homes, schools, warehouses, farms and heritage properties.
What does “competent” actually mean?
The Fire Safety Order places responsibility on the Responsible Person to ensure that an appropriate fire risk assessment is carried out.
A Responsible Person can undertake an assessment themselves where they have the necessary competence. Alternatively, they can appoint a competent professional to assist them.
The Government’s research into Responsible Persons highlights the importance of the relationship between businesses and fire risk assessors and confirms that the proposed professionalisation of the sector is intended to establish independently verified competence requirements.
For businesses, this should encourage a much more important question than simply:
“How much does a fire risk assessment cost?”
Instead, ask:
“Is the person carrying out our assessment competent to assess our particular premises?”
Experience matters.
So does training, professional knowledge, qualifications and an understanding of the type and complexity of building being assessed.
Accreditation and professional standards matter
At Bath & West Fire & Safety, we have built our business around professional standards and specialist knowledge.
We are a family-run business established in 1991, with decades of experience in the fire-safety industry. We are members of the Independent Fire Engineering Distributors’ Association (IFEDA) and supply Kitemark-approved products as part of our wider fire-safety services.
Our fire-safety engineers are trained and qualified, and our services cover the wider fire-safety needs of businesses, from fire risk assessments and fire alarms through to extinguishers, emergency lighting, PAT testing and fire-safety training.
We believe that breadth of experience is important because a fire risk assessment should not exist in isolation.
If an assessment identifies a problem with a fire alarm, emergency lighting, fire door or escape route, the person responsible needs to understand why that problem matters and what needs to happen next.
Your fire risk assessment should lead to action
A good FRA should provide more than a list of observations.
It should give the Responsible Person a practical understanding of:
What is the hazard?
Who could be affected?
What controls are already in place?
Is the level of risk acceptable?
What additional measures are required?
Who is responsible for implementing them?
When should the work be completed?
That creates a clear audit trail and, importantly, helps businesses actually improve their fire safety.
The Government’s guidance makes clear that Responsible Persons must identify fire hazards and people at risk, evaluate and reduce risks, and keep their fire risk assessment under review.
Your FRA isn’t a document you can simply put in a drawer
One of the biggest misconceptions we encounter is that once an FRA has been completed, the job is finished.
It isn’t.
The assessment needs to remain relevant as the business changes.
For example, a review may be necessary following:
- changes to the building;
- alterations to escape routes;
- changes in occupancy;
- new equipment or processes;
- changes in storage arrangements;
- introduction of new fire hazards;
- changes to staffing;
- a fire or significant near miss; or
- changes to fire-safety systems.
Even where there have been no major changes, Responsible Persons should ensure that their fire risk assessment remains suitable and sufficient.
New and emerging risks need to be considered
Fire safety doesn’t stand still.
The way we work, the buildings we occupy and the technology we use are constantly changing.
One example is the increasing use of lithium-ion batteries.
Businesses may now have e-bikes, e-scooters, cordless tools, electric vehicles, portable batteries and other rechargeable equipment on their premises.
Charging arrangements, storage and damaged batteries can all introduce additional considerations that should be assessed according to the circumstances of the premises.
Similarly, changes to building design, construction, insulation, energy systems and refurbishment can create new fire-safety considerations.
This is why we don’t believe in simply repeating the same assessment every time.
The assessment should reflect what is actually happening in the building.
What businesses should be doing now
With the Government working towards a new framework for fire risk assessor competence, we believe now is a good time for businesses to look critically at their existing arrangements.
Ask yourself:
When was our last fire risk assessment?
If it has been several years, or the premises have changed significantly, it may be time for a review.
Who carried it out?
Do you know what qualifications, experience and professional competence your assessor has?
Does it accurately describe our premises?
A generic assessment that could apply to almost any building isn’t necessarily going to identify the risks specific to yours.
Have we completed the actions?
If your FRA contains recommendations that have been outstanding for months or years, they need to be addressed.
Are our fire-safety systems properly maintained?
Fire alarms, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers and other systems need appropriate testing and maintenance.
Do our staff know what to do?
Fire safety ultimately depends on people. Staff need appropriate information, instruction and training.
Good fire safety is about prevention, protection and preparedness
At Bath & West Fire & Safety, our approach is based on three principles:
Detection. Protection. Prevention.
We don’t believe businesses should wait for a fire, an enforcement visit or a regulatory change before taking fire safety seriously.
A properly conducted fire risk assessment can identify problems before they become emergencies.
And that is exactly what it should do.
The proposed move towards mandatory accreditation for fire risk assessors is an important development for the industry. For responsible, properly trained and accredited fire-safety businesses, it should help raise standards and distinguish professional services from inadequate assessments.
Most importantly, it has the potential to improve the quality and consistency of fire risk assessments and ultimately make buildings safer for the people who use them.
That’s something we strongly support.
Need a fire risk assessment?
Bath & West Fire & Safety provides professional fire risk assessments for businesses and organisations across Bath, Wiltshire, Somerset and surrounding areas.
We work with a wide range of premises, including offices, shops, restaurants, pubs, hotels, care homes, schools, warehouses, farms and heritage properties.
If you’re unsure whether your current assessment remains suitable, or you need a new assessment for your premises, get in touch with Bath & West Fire & Safety.
Fire Risk Assessments – Bath & West Fire & Safety
Useful independent information
GOV.UK – Fire safety in the workplace
Practical guidance for employers and Responsible Persons.
GOV.UK – Fire safety in the workplace
GOV.UK – Fire risk assessor accreditation
Information about the Government’s work towards mandatory accreditation.
GOV.UK – Mandatory certification of fire risk assessors
GOV.UK – Grenfell Tower Inquiry implementation update
The latest Government progress report, including the work on fire risk assessor competence.