Fire Risk Assessors

High-Risk Buildings Fire Risk Assessments
Exeter, Devon, Bristol Somerset & Cornwall

Fire risk assessments (FRAs) for high-risk buildings are critical to ensuring the safety of occupants, protecting property, and complying with legal obligations. High-risk buildings typically include high-rise residential blocks, care homes, hospitals, and buildings with vulnerable occupants or complex layouts. These environments demand a more detailed and rigorous approach than standard fire risk assessments.

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Legal and Regulatory Context

In the UK, fire risk assessments are governed by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, alongside updates introduced under the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Fire Safety Act 2021.

Responsible persons (such as building owners or managing agents) must ensure that fire risks are identified, evaluated, and mitigated appropriately, with particular attention to external walls, flat entrance doors, and communal areas in high-rise structures.

What Makes a Building “High Risk”?

A building is generally considered high risk when it includes one or more of the following:

Height (typically over 18 metres or 7 storeys)
High occupant density
Vulnerable occupants (e.g. elderly, disabled, or hospital patients)
Complex evacuation procedures
Combustible construction materials (e.g. cladding systems)
Mixed-use occupancy (residential + commercial)

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1. Identification of Fire Hazards

This involves identifying potential ignition sources (electrical systems, cooking equipment), fuel sources (furnishings, waste storage), and oxygen sources (ventilation systems).

2. Identification of People at Risk

Assessors must consider all occupants, including those especially vulnerable, such as:

Residents with mobility impairments
Children
Sleeping occupants
Staff in care or healthcare environments

3. Evaluation of Fire Risk

The likelihood of fire starting and the consequences if it does are evaluated. In high-risk buildings, this often involves more advanced analysis, including fire spread scenarios and structural considerations.

4. Fire Protection Measures

Passive fire protection:

Compartmentation (fire-resistant walls, floors, and doors)
Fire stopping in service penetrations
Structural fire resistance

Active fire protection:

Fire detection and alarm systems
Sprinkler systems
Smoke control systems
Emergency lighting

5. Means of Escape

A detailed review of escape routes is essential, including:

Number and width of staircases
Travel distances
Accessibility for all occupants
Evacuation strategies (e.g. stay-put vs simultaneous evacuation)

6. External Fire Risks

Particular attention must be given to:

Cladding materials
Balconies and external features
Fire spread between floors

Key Components of a High-Risk Fire Risk Assessment

Evacuation Strategies

High-risk buildings often require tailored evacuation strategies:

Stay-put strategy (common in purpose-built flats with effective compartmentation)
Simultaneous evacuation (used where compartmentation is compromised)
Phased evacuation (common in large or complex buildings)

These strategies must be clearly documented and communicated to occupants.