Fire Risk Assessments for Pubs, Clubs and Restaurants

A pub, club or restaurant fire risk assessment is a written review of the fire hazards in a licensed or catering premises, especially commercial kitchens, and of whether the escape routes, occupancy, alarms, emergency lighting and staff procedures are adequate for the number of customers. It is required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and licensing authorities and fire and rescue services may ask to see it.

Every assessment is carried out personally by Ray Amoah (ABBE Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment, DipFRA, MIFSM, FPA member), and written to PAS 79-1:2020, the recognised method for non-domestic premises.

Page last reviewed: 22 October 2026.

The licence holder, operator or person in control is the responsible person. They must assess the fire risk, act on the findings and keep the assessment under review. Serious breaches can lead to an unlimited fine and up to two years’ imprisonment.

Since 1 October 2023 every responsible person must record the full fire risk assessment and their fire safety arrangements in writing, and record who carried it out.

Fire safety is part of the licensing objective of public safety. Licence conditions often include occupancy limits and fire safety measures, and your assessment should support them.

HM Government’s fire safety guides for places of assembly set out what a suitable assessment covers. We assess against them and PAS 79-1:2020.

Deep fat fryers, cooking ranges, gas shut-offs, extraction canopies and ductwork cleaning records.

Maximum numbers based on the exits available, and how busy nights, events and functions are managed.

Exit widths, doors that open easily without a key, routes through beer gardens and smoking areas.

Alarm audibility over music, emergency lighting in dim areas, and test records.

Staff or letting rooms above the premises and their separation from the trading areas below.

Fire training, closing-down checks, waste and bin storage, and arson risk.

Most fires in restaurants and pubs start in the kitchen, and grease that builds up in extraction ductwork can spread a fire well beyond it. Ductwork should be cleaned regularly, typically to the industry TR19 Grease specification. We also often find exits locked or obstructed during trading, no recorded occupancy limit, alarms that can’t be heard over music, and flats above with no fire separation from the bar or kitchen.

Send us the address, the type of premises and its size. We confirm a fixed fee before we visit. Assessments start from £225 for smaller premises.

Ray Amoah inspects the bar, dining and function areas, kitchens, cellars, stores, outside areas and any accommodation, ideally at a time that does not disrupt service.

A clear report with photographs and a prioritised action plan, from urgent items to longer-term improvements.

We remind you when the assessment is due for review, at least annually and after any significant change.

“Ray was super helpful and very polite. I felt that I could trust his advice and recommendations. Would definitely rebook.”

Beatrice, Google review

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Fixed-fee fire risk assessments across Milton Keynes, Bedford, London and the Home Counties. Send us the address and we will confirm a fee and visit date.