Vigilance Fire Safety

Fire Risk Assessments for Offices and Shops

Fixed-fee fire risk assessments for offices, shops, showrooms and mixed-use buildings across Milton Keynes, Bedford, London and the Home Counties.

What is an office or shop fire risk assessment?

An office or shop fire risk assessment is a written review of the fire hazards in the premises, the staff, customers and visitors at risk, and whether escape routes, fire doors, alarms, emergency lighting and fire procedures are adequate. Every office and shop in England and Wales needs one under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, whatever its size.

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.

Staff working in an open-plan office

The law for offices and shops

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The employer, or whoever controls the premises, is the responsible person. They must assess the 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.

Building Safety Act 2022, section 156

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.

Shared and mixed-use buildings

Where an office or shop is part of a larger building, such as a shop with flats above, each responsible person covers the parts they control and must cooperate on shared escape routes and alarms.

Government guidance

HM Government’s fire safety guide for offices and shops sets out what a suitable assessment covers. We assess against it and PAS 79-1:2020.

What we assess in offices and shops

Escape routes and exits

Corridors, stairs and final exits, including routes through stockrooms and back-of-house areas kept clear of stock and deliveries.

Fire doors

Doors on stairs and corridors, closers, seals, signage and doors wedged open.

Alarm and detection

Coverage, audibility and weekly test and service records.

Emergency lighting and signs

Escape route lighting, exit signage and monthly and annual test records.

Ignition sources

Electrical equipment and charging, kitchens and tea points, heaters, smoking areas and waste storage.

People and procedures

Fire marshals, drills, training, and evacuation plans for disabled staff and customers (PEEPs).

Common problems in offices and shops

The issues we find most often are stock or furniture blocking escape routes, fire doors wedged open, missing test records for alarms and emergency lighting, overloaded sockets and charging points, and no plan for evacuating disabled staff or customers. In shops, stock levels rise before busy periods, so the assessment also considers how the premises are used at peak times.

How it works

1. Quote

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.

2. Site visit

Ray Amoah inspects every floor, including stockrooms, plant and server rooms, kitchens and shared areas, and reviews your fire logbook and training records.

3. Written report

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

4. Review

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

Office and shop fire risk assessment FAQs

Does a small office or shop need a fire risk assessment?

Yes. Every business premises needs one under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Since 1 October 2023 the full assessment must be recorded in writing, even if you have fewer than five staff.

The tenant is usually responsible for the parts they occupy and control, and the landlord or managing agent for shared areas such as common stairs and entrances. The lease should make the split clear, and both must cooperate.

Assessments start from £225 for smaller premises. Larger or multi-floor buildings are quoted on a fixed fee, agreed before any work begins.

The law sets no fixed interval, but the assessment must stay current. Review it at least once a year as good practice, and straight away after building work, a change in how the premises are used, new equipment or a fire incident.

Yes. Mixed-use buildings need the commercial and residential parts considered together, especially shared escape routes and fire separation between the shop and the flats.

Any previous fire risk assessment, your fire logbook with alarm and emergency lighting test records, fire extinguisher service records, staff training and drill records, and your electrical installation certificate.

What clients say

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

Beatrice, Google review

Related fire risk assessment services

Need a fire risk assessment for your office or shop?

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.