LE8 · Whetstone
Fire Risk Assessment
in Whetstone
The Responsible Person for almost every non-domestic premises must ensure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out and, since section 156 commenced, must record it in full regardless of how many people are employed. It must be reviewed regularly and after any material change.
Duty summary
England & Wales
- Duty
- Fire Risk Assessment
- Instrument
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Also
- section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, in force since 1 October 2023
- Standard
- PAS 79-1:2020 (premises other than housing) and, for housing, BS 9792:2025, which superseded PAS 79-2:2020
- Frequency
- Reviewed regularly, and after any material change to the building or its use
- Carried out by
- A competent person
- Enforced by
- Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
- Guide price
- £180 – £600 per assessment
Guide price only. The firm we pass your enquiry to sets its own price once it knows the building.
Building owners and managers responsible for commercial or residential property in the LE8 postcode district have a legal obligation to ensure their premises are safe for occupants. If you are looking for a fire risk assessment in Whetstone, our enquiry service is designed to connect you with a local specialist who can provide a professional report. Whetstone is a village with a high street, pubs and a village hall, alongside modern estate housing and nearby engineering premises. This mix of property types means that fire safety requirements vary significantly across the area. Whether you manage a retail unit on the high street, a communal block in a modern housing development, or a large industrial site, a formal assessment is necessary to identify hazards and protect lives. A fire risk assessment in Whetstone typically costs £180 to £600 per assessment, though this figure depends entirely on the size and complexity of the building. The specific quote for your property will be provided directly by the firm we pass your enquiry to, so that the price reflects the unique characteristics of your premises.
What a fire risk assessment covers
The assessor who contacts you will conduct a thorough physical inspection of the premises to identify potential fire hazards and evaluate the existing safety measures. The scope of the work and the final cost are influenced by several practical factors. The floor area and the number of storeys are primary considerations, as larger buildings require more time to inspect. The company we put you in touch with will also look at how the building is used and by how many people, as high-occupancy environments carry different risks than quiet storage spaces.
The complexity and number of escape routes are assessed to ensure that all occupants can exit the building safely in an emergency. A critical factor is whether anyone sleeps on the premises, such as in blocks of flats or sheltered housing, which necessitates a more rigorous level of scrutiny. The age of the building and whether it has been altered over time also play a role, as older structures or those with modern extensions often have hidden voids or non-standard layouts that affect fire spread. The final report will document these findings and provide a list of actions required to bring the building up to the necessary standard.
How the enquiry works
We operate as a dedicated enquiry service to help duty holders find local expertise. The process is straightforward and transparent:
- You send the details of your property and your contact information through our website.
- We pass these details to a local fire safety firm that covers the Whetstone area.
- That firm contacts you directly to discuss your requirements and provide a formal quote.
- You deal with the firm directly to arrange the site visit and handle payment.
Please note that Leicester Fire Risk Assessment is not a consultancy and does not carry out the assessments ourselves. We act solely as a bridge between you and the professional service provider.
The legal position for property owners
The primary legislation governing fire safety in England and Wales is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This law applies to virtually all non-domestic premises and the communal areas of residential buildings. Under this Order, the ‘Responsible Person’—usually the employer, owner, or landlord—must ensure that a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out. This is a mandatory requirement designed to identify what is needed to prevent fire and keep people safe.
The legal landscape was further updated by section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, which came into force on 1 October 2023. Since this date, the Responsible Person must record the full fire risk assessment in writing, regardless of the number of employees or the size of the business. Previously, smaller organisations were exempt from the written requirement, but this is no longer the case. The assessment must be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains valid, and a new assessment is typically required after any material change to the building’s layout or use.
To ensure consistency and quality, the work is normally carried out against established industry guidance, specifically BS 9792:2025 for housing and BS 9792:2025 for non-domestic premises. It is a legal requirement that the assessment is carried out by a competent person who has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience. Failure to comply with these duties can lead to enforcement action. In Whetstone, enforcement is typically handled by the local fire and rescue service or the local authority, depending on the specific nature of the building. Please note that the information provided on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice for a specific building or situation.
Questions duty holders ask
6 answers
How much does a fire risk assessment cost?
A fire risk assessment in Whetstone typically costs £180 to £600 per assessment. The final price is determined by the firm we put you in touch with and depends on the size, age, and usage of the building. A small shop will naturally cost less than a large engineering works or a multi-storey block of flats. You will receive a bespoke quote directly from the local provider after providing your details.
Who is the Responsible Person?
The Responsible Person is the individual or entity that has control over the premises. In a workplace, this is usually the employer. In other buildings, it is the person who has control of the premises in connection with the carrying on by them of a trade, business, or other undertaking, or the owner. This person is legally accountable for so that a fire risk assessment is completed and that safety measures are maintained.
How often does the assessment need reviewing?
The law states that a fire risk assessment must be reviewed regularly to keep it up to date. While the legislation does not specify a fixed timeframe, it is standard practice to review the document annually. You must also conduct a review if there is reason to suspect the current assessment is no longer valid, or if there has been a significant change to the building, such as structural alterations or a change in the way the premises are used.
What happens if I do not have a fire risk assessment?
Failure to have a valid fire risk assessment is a breach of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. If a fire occurs and you have not fulfilled your duties, you could face significant fines or prosecution. Furthermore, local fire and rescue services have the power to issue enforcement notices or even prohibition notices, which can close a building down until it is made safe. Having a professional assessment helps demonstrate your commitment to safety.
Does the assessment have to be written down?
Yes, since the commencement of section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022 on 1 October 2023, all fire risk assessments must be recorded in full. This applies to all premises covered by the Fire Safety Order, regardless of the number of people employed or the type of business. The company we put you in touch with will provide a comprehensive written report that meets these modern legal requirements for your records.
Will you be the ones visiting my premises?
No, Leicester Fire Risk Assessment is an enquiry service rather than a firm of assessors. We do not attend sites or carry out the inspections ourselves. Our role is to take your enquiry and pass it to a local firm that specialises in fire safety. That firm will then contact you to provide a quote and, if you choose to proceed, they will be the ones who visit your premises in Whetstone.
Sources and review
Checked against Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Building Safety Act 2022 s.156, PAS 79-1:2020 and BS 9792:2025 on . We recheck this page against the legislation quarterly, and sooner if the law changes. Spotted something wrong? Tell us at enquiries@leicesterfireriskassessment.co.uk and we will correct it.
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This page is general information about fire safety law in England and Wales. It is not a fire risk assessment and it is not legal advice. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 the Responsible Person must ensure an assessment is carried out by a competent person.