Fire Risk Assessments in Exeter: Is Your Property Fully Compliant?

Fire safety should never be treated as a paper

work exercise. For landlords, employers, managing agents and commercial property owners across Exeter and Devon, a suitable fire risk assessment is an essential part of protecting occupants, employees, visitors and the building itself.

A professional fire risk assessment identifies potential hazards, assesses the people who may be at risk and establishes what action is required to improve the safety of the premises.

At Hicksfield, we provide clear and practical fire risk assessments for properties throughout Exeter, Devon and the surrounding areas. Our reports are designed to help responsible persons understand their obligations, prioritise remedial work and maintain an appropriate standard of fire safety.

What Is a Fire Risk Assessment?

A fire risk assessment is a structured examination of a building, its use and the activities carried out within it. It considers how a fire could start, how it could spread and how people would safely escape.

Government guidance describes a fire risk assessment as an organised and methodical examination of a premises and the activities taking place within it. Its purpose is to identify fire hazards and reduce the risk of harm to people in and around the building.

A comprehensive assessment will normally consider:

• Sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen

• Fire detection and alarm systems

• Emergency lighting

• Escape routes and final exits

• Fire doors and compartmentation

• Fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment

• Signage and fire safety information

• Arrangements for vulnerable occupants

• Staff training and evacuation procedures

• The management and maintenance of fire safety measures

The completed report should identify any deficiencies and provide proportionate recommendations for improvement.

Who Is Responsible for Fire Safety?

Fire safety duties usually fall to the person or organisation with control of the premises. This individual is commonly referred to as the responsible person.

Depending on the property, this may be:

• An employer

• A landlord

• A managing agent

• A freeholder

• A building owner

• A facilities manager

• A principal contractor

• An occupier with control of the premises

The responsible person must carry out and regularly review a fire risk assessment, maintain suitable fire precautions, plan for emergencies and provide relevant information and training to employees.

Where more than one person has responsibility for a property, such as a landlord, tenant and managing agent, those parties must cooperate and coordinate their fire safety arrangements.

Which Exeter Properties Require a Fire Risk Assessment?

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies to most non-domestic premises and to the communal areas of residential buildings containing multiple dwellings.

Properties that may require a fire risk assessment include:

• Offices and commercial buildings

• Shops and retail premises

• Hotels and guest accommodation

• Restaurants, cafés and public houses

• Warehouses and industrial units

• Schools, nurseries and educational premises

• Care homes and supported accommodation

• Houses in multiple occupation

• Blocks of flats and apartment buildings

• Construction sites

• Community buildings and places of worship

For construction sites, the responsible person is commonly the main or principal contractor in control of the site. They must keep the assessment current and implement appropriate measures to minimise the risk from fire.

Why Use a Professional Fire Risk Assessor?

For very small and straightforward premises, a responsible person may be able to complete an assessment themselves, provided they have the necessary knowledge and competence.

However, many buildings involve more complex risks. Mixed-use premises, blocks of flats, older buildings, heritage properties, care environments and premises with sleeping accommodation can require a much more detailed assessment.

Using a competent fire risk assessor provides several advantages:

Clear identification of fire hazards

An experienced assessor can identify problems that may not be immediately obvious, including inadequate compartmentation, damaged fire doors, unprotected service penetrations and unsuitable escape arrangements.

Prioritised recommendations

A professional report should distinguish between urgent life-safety issues and lower-priority improvements. This allows property owners and managers to plan remedial work effectively.

Independent evidence of compliance

A detailed report provides documented evidence that fire risks have been considered and that appropriate action is being taken.

Practical advice

Recommendations should be suitable for the building and proportionate to the level of risk. They should not simply provide a generic checklist.

Common Fire Safety Issues Found in Exeter Properties

Every building is different, but recurring issues identified during fire risk assessments can include:

• Fire doors that do not close correctly

• Excessive gaps around fire doors

• Missing or damaged intumescent and smoke seals

• Unsealed penetrations through fire-resistant walls

• Obstructions within escape routes

• Inadequate emergency lighting

• Missing or unclear fire safety signage

• Poorly maintained alarm systems

• Incorrectly stored combustible materials

• Fire extinguishers that have not been maintained

• Outdated evacuation procedures

• A lack of documented fire safety checks

Individually, some defects may appear minor. However, several deficiencies occurring together can significantly increase the risk to occupants.

Fire Doors and Residential Buildings

Fire doors are a critical part of a building’s passive fire protection system. They are intended to resist the passage of fire and smoke, helping to protect escape routes and prevent rapid fire spread.

The Fire Safety Act 2021 confirmed that external walls and flat entrance doors can fall within the scope of the Fire Safety Order.

The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 also introduced additional duties for responsible persons in residential buildings. Regulation 10 includes specific requirements concerning fire doors in buildings containing two or more domestic premises with communal escape routes.

A fire risk assessment may therefore identify the need for further inspection, maintenance or remedial work to communal fire doors and flat entrance doors.

How Often Should a Fire Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?

There is no single review period suitable for every property. The assessment should be reviewed regularly and whenever there is reason to believe it may no longer be valid.

A review may be required following:

• Alterations to the building or its layout

• A change in occupancy or building use

• Refurbishment or construction work

• The installation of new equipment

• Changes to staffing levels or working practices

• A fire, alarm activation or near miss

• The identification of significant fire safety defects

• Changes to relevant fire safety legislation

• A considerable period since the previous assessment

Higher-risk and more complex premises may require more frequent formal reviews.

What Happens After the Assessment?

Following the inspection, the responsible person should receive a written fire risk assessment explaining the findings and recommended actions.

These actions should then be placed into a structured remedial programme. High-priority deficiencies affecting means of escape, fire detection or fire separation should generally be addressed before lower-risk management improvements.

Completing the assessment alone is not enough. The responsible person must act upon significant findings, maintain the building’s fire precautions and keep appropriate records.

Fire Risk Assessments Across Exeter and Devon

Hicksfield supports landlords, property managers, businesses and organisations requiring fire risk assessments in Exeter and throughout Devon.

Whether you are responsible for a single commercial unit, a residential block, a portfolio of rental properties or a larger multi-occupancy building, we can provide a structured assessment and clearly explain any action required.

Our approach focuses on delivering reports that are:

• Clear and straightforward

• Specific to the property

• Supported by photographic evidence where appropriate

• Prioritised according to risk

• Practical for clients and contractors to follow

Arrange a Fire Risk Assessment in Exeter

Failing to identify or address fire safety deficiencies can place occupants at risk and leave the responsible person exposed to enforcement action.

A professional fire risk assessment provides a clear understanding of the building’s current condition and the steps required to manage fire safety effectively.

To arrange a fire risk assessment in Exeter, Devon or the surrounding area, contact Hicksfield today. Our team can discuss your property, the type of assessment required and the next steps for completing the inspection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do landlords need a fire risk assessment in Exeter?

Landlords may have fire safety duties where they control communal areas of blocks of flats, houses in multiple occupation or other relevant premises. The exact requirements depend on the building type, occupancy and management arrangements.

Can I complete my own fire risk assessment?

A responsible person may complete an assessment where they have sufficient knowledge and the premises are simple. Government guidance recommends considering a competent professional where the building or risks are more complex.

Does a fire risk assessment include fire door inspections?

A general fire risk assessment considers the condition and suitability of fire doors as part of the building’s overall precautions. A separate detailed fire door inspection may be recommended where further investigation is necessary.

How long does a fire risk assessment take?

The time required depends on the size, layout, occupancy and complexity of the building. A small commercial property may be assessed relatively quickly, while a large residential or mixed-use development will require a more extensive inspection.

Will the assessment include a remedial action plan?

A suitable report should clearly record significant findings and provide recommendations. Hicksfield reports prioritise identified actions so that clients can understand which issues require the most urgent attention.