What it is
Every non-domestic premises and the common parts of every block of flats must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Ours examine ignition sources, fuel, people and the measures protecting them, then say what we found and what to do about it — prioritised, costed in effort, and free of boilerplate. We carry out Type 1 (common parts, non-destructive), Type 2 (common parts with destructive sampling), Type 3 (common parts and a sample of flats, non-destructive) and Type 4 (common parts and flats with destructive sampling) assessments as the building warrants — under BS 9792:2025, the British Standard that now governs fire risk assessment of residential buildings, with PAS 79-1:2020 applied to premises other than housing. In mixed-use buildings — a commercial unit beneath flats — the two run side by side, each part assessed under the methodology that applies to it. The assessment type is agreed before we start, based on the building, its history and any concerns the responsible person has about what is behind the surfaces.
When you need it
- The current assessment is due for review or no longer reflects the building
- You have taken on a new premises or portfolio
- The fire and rescue service or a primary authority has raised questions
- A type 3 or 4 assessment is needed to look behind the surfaces
What you receive
- A fire risk assessment with a prioritised, plain-English action plan
- Significant findings recorded for the responsible person
- Review scheduling matched to risk, not habit
How we do it
- Pre-visit review of available information: existing assessments, fire safety logbooks, maintenance records, previous enforcement or improvement notices.
- Site assessment: systematic inspection of the premises, compartment lines, detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting, escape routes, fire-fighting equipment and management arrangements.
- Risk evaluation: findings assessed against the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and relevant guidance, with each finding given a priority level and a recommended action.
- Report issued with a clear action plan — what to do, why, and in what order — written for the responsible person rather than for a compliance file.
What drives the cost
Assessment cost depends on building size (floor area and number of floors), type (Type 1 to 4 — destructive sampling adds time and reinstatement), complexity (mixed uses, complex escape routes, older construction with unknown elements) and number of buildings in a portfolio instruction. Portfolio volume reduces unit cost. We price on a fixed-fee basis per building after an initial scoping conversation.
Common questions
What is the difference between a Type 1 and a Type 4 fire risk assessment?
A Type 1 assessment covers the common parts of a building non-destructively — it does not enter flats or open up surfaces. A Type 4 assessment includes destructive sampling in both common parts and flats, opening up walls, ceilings or floors to establish what is there. Types 2 and 3 sit between these extremes. The appropriate type depends on the building's age, construction history, what previous assessments found and the level of confidence needed in the passive fire protection.
How often does a fire risk assessment need to be reviewed?
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order requires the assessment to be reviewed whenever there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid — after a significant change to the building, its use or occupancy, or after a fire or near-miss. Good practice, rather than the Order itself, adds a review when the period the assessor recommended expires. For residential buildings, annual review of significant findings is common practice; the full assessment may run longer where the building and its management are stable.
Do the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 change what is assessed?
The 2022 Regulations add specific duties for responsible persons in multi-occupied residential buildings: quarterly checks of fire doors in common parts, annual checks of all flat entrance doors where the leaseholder permits access, and provision of fire safety information to residents. These are management duties rather than assessment categories, but a well-written fire risk assessment will identify where a building is not meeting them and include them in the action plan.
Can Apex carry out assessments across a portfolio on consistent terms?
Yes. Portfolio-wide assessments can be structured with a common methodology, risk-rating criteria and report format across all buildings, making it straightforward to track actions, compare sites and report to boards or funders on a consistent basis. We agree the programme, format and review cycle before starting.
Related services
All servicesFurther reading
All insights