Fire Risk Assessment for GP Surgery Compliance

Why GP Surgeries Need a Fire Risk Assessment

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, every non-domestic premises in England and Wales must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. A GP surgery is no exception. Whether you operate from a purpose-built medical centre, a converted building, or a shared facility, the law requires the responsible person — typically the practice manager, lead GP, or building owner — to identify fire hazards, evaluate who might be at risk, and put appropriate measures in place.

GP surgeries present particular challenges. You have vulnerable patients, including elderly visitors, people with limited mobility, and individuals who may be unwell or sedated. You also store clinical waste, pharmaceuticals, oxygen cylinders, and electrical medical equipment. All of these factors make a thorough, surgery-specific assessment essential.

Who Is the Responsible Person?

The RRO 2005 places the duty on the employer, or the person in control of the premises. In a GP surgery, this is usually the practice manager or the senior partner. If the building is leased, responsibilities may be shared with the landlord or managing agent, but the occupier cannot simply assume someone else has handled it. You must be able to demonstrate that a current, documented fire risk assessment exists.

Failure to comply can result in enforcement notices, prohibition notices, and in serious cases, prosecution. The enforcing authority is your local fire and rescue authority, which has the power to inspect your premises at any time.

What a Fire Risk Assessment Covers

A competent fire risk assessment for a GP surgery follows the five-step approach recommended by HSE and fire safety guidance, broadly aligned with PAS 79 methodology:

• Identify fire hazards — sources of ignition, fuel, and oxygen, including clinical waste, paper records, kitchen areas, and medical gases.
• Identify people at risk — staff, patients, visitors, contractors, and particularly those who may need assistance to evacuate, such as wheelchair users, pregnant women, or patients with cognitive impairments.
• Evaluate, remove, or reduce risks — review fire detection and warning systems, emergency lighting, fire doors, extinguisher provision, and compartmentation.
• Record findings and prepare an emergency plan — document significant findings, assign responsibilities, and ensure staff know what to do in the event of a fire.
• Review regularly — the assessment should be reviewed at least annually, or whenever significant changes occur, such as a refurbishment, change in patient capacity, or alteration to the building layout.

Common Fire Risks in GP Surgeries

Every surgery is different, but several risks appear repeatedly:

• Clinical waste accumulation — sharps bins, used dressings, and pharmaceutical waste can act as fuel if not stored and disposed of correctly.
• Overloaded socket outlets — medical equipment, IT systems, and portable heaters increase electrical load.
• Blocked escape routes — corridors and fire exits obstructed by wheelchairs, delivery boxes, or temporary storage.
• Inadequate fire detection — older premises may lack sufficient smoke or heat detection in all relevant areas, including store rooms and plant rooms.
• Staff training gaps — temporary staff, locum GPs, and administrative personnel may not have received fire safety induction.

Addressing these issues is not just a legal obligation; it directly protects patients and staff who may be unable to evacuate quickly.

Evacuation Planning for Vulnerable Patients

Standard evacuation procedures may not be enough in a GP surgery. You should consider Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for staff or regular visitors with disabilities, and generic evacuation plans for patients who may be present during an alarm. Horizontal evacuation — moving people to a fire-safe compartment on the same floor — is often the most practical approach in medical settings where vertical evacuation is not feasible.

Fire drills should be carried out at least annually, and records should be kept. All staff, including receptionists and cleaners, must understand their role.

How HawkSwift Can Help

A fire risk assessment for a GP surgery should be carried out by someone with the competence to understand both fire safety principles and the specific risks of a healthcare environment. HawkSwift provides fire risk assessments from £199 + VAT, carried out by NEBOSH-qualified assessors with experience across commercial and healthcare premises. Reports are delivered within 5 working days, giving you a clear, actionable record of compliance.

If your surgery has never had a formal assessment, or if your existing document is outdated, book a fire risk assessment with HawkSwift today and make sure your patients, staff, and practice are properly protected.