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2026-10-01 · HawkSwift Ltd

Fire Risk Assessment for Vehicle Repair Garages and Automotive Workshops: A Complete UK Compliance Guide

Vehicle repair garages and automotive workshops present a combination of fire hazards that few other premises types match — flammable liquids, hot works, electrical faults, and vehicles carrying their own fuel. If you run or manage a garage, you are likely the Responsible Person under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO 2005), and you have a legal duty to carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.

This guide explains what your fire risk assessment must cover, the specific hazards inspectors look for, and how to stay compliant with UK fire safety law.

Is a Fire Risk Assessment a Legal Requirement for Garages?

Yes. Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the Responsible Person for any non-domestic premises to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the fire risks to which relevant persons are exposed. Vehicle repair garages and automotive workshops are not exempt.

If you employ five or more people, you must record the significant findings of your assessment in writing. Even if you employ fewer than five, recording your assessment is strongly recommended — it demonstrates compliance and helps you track actions.

The RRO 2005 applies to all premises in England and Wales. In Scotland, equivalent duties sit under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.

Who is the Responsible Person?

In a garage or workshop, the Responsible Person is typically:

  • The employer, where the premises are used for a trade or business
  • The owner or occupier, where there is no employer — for example, a sole trader operating their own workshop

Where a building is shared — for example, a multi-let industrial unit with several automotive businesses — each tenant is the Responsible Person for their own area, and the landlord holds concurrent duties for common parts under Article 3 of the RRO 2005. All parties must cooperate and coordinate fire safety measures under Article 22.

Why Garages and Workshops Are High-Risk Premises

Garages and automotive workshops combine several significant fire hazards that make them higher risk than standard commercial premises:

  • Flammable liquids and gases — petrol, diesel, oils, solvents, brake cleaners, aerosols, and LPG stored on site
  • Hot works — welding, grinding, cutting, and brazing that produce intense heat and sparks
  • Vehicle fuel systems — vehicles brought in for repair carry their own petrol or diesel, creating a hidden fuel load
  • Electrical faults — damaged wiring, battery charging equipment, and high-current draw tools
  • Combustible materials — tyres, upholstery, plastics, packaging, and oily rags
  • Spray painting and solvent use — flammable atmospheres in spray booths or mixing areas

According to Home Office fire statistics, approximately 1,200 non-dwelling fires per year in England are attributable to garages, auto shops, and vehicle repair premises, with vehicle fires and electrical faults being the leading causes (Home Office, Fire Statistics England 2023-24). The Home Office data shows that electrical distribution and the misuse of equipment or appliances remain the primary ignition sources in commercial vehicle premises.

Fire Safety Law That Applies to Garages

Your fire risk assessment must be conducted in line with the following legislation and guidance:

  • Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 — the primary fire safety legislation for England and Wales
  • Fire Safety Act 2021 — clarified that the RRO 2005 applies to the structure and external walls of buildings, and to flat entrance doors in multi-occupied residential buildings (relevant if your garage sits below or within a mixed-use building)
  • Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 — introduced specific requirements for fire door inspections and information provision to residents, which may be relevant if the garage is part of a mixed-use block
  • Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 — requires employers to assess all health and safety risks, supplementing the RRO
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) — applies to the storage and use of flammable and hazardous chemicals in the workshop
  • Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) — directly relevant to the storage of petrol, solvents, LPG, and aerosols that can create explosive atmospheres
  • Approved Document B (Fire Safety) — provides guidance on fire-resistant construction and compartmentation, relevant for any workshop within a larger building

What DSEAR Means for Your Garage

Under DSEAR 2002, if you store or use dangerous substances — which includes petrol, LPG, spray paints, solvents, and aerosol canisters — you must:

  • Identify where explosive atmospheres could develop (Regulation 5)
  • Classify areas into zones based on the likelihood of an explosive atmosphere
  • Eliminate or reduce the risk of ignition (Regulation 6)
  • Provide explosion-resistant plant and emergency procedures (Regulations 7 and 8)
  • Label storage areas and pipework correctly

A common enforcement finding in garage inspections is the failure to zone spray-booth areas or solvent stores correctly.

What Your Fire Risk Assessment Must Cover

A suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment for a vehicle repair garage follows the five-step approach set out in PAS 79-1:2020 and HM Government guidance. Here is what each step means specifically for your premises.

Step 1: Identify Fire Hazards

Walk through every area and identify:

  • Sources of ignition: welding equipment, grinding tools, engine heaters, battery chargers, damaged electrical cables, portable heaters, smoking materials, hot exhaust systems on vehicles
  • Sources of fuel: petrol and diesel in vehicle tanks, stored fuel, solvents, degreasers, paints, tyres, upholstery, engine oil, hydraulic fluids, packaging waste, oily rags
  • Sources of oxygen: compressed air cylinders, oxy-acetylene bottles, ventilation openings, air conditioning systems

Step 2: Identify People at Risk

Consider everyone who may be on the premises:

  • Employees — mechanics, fitters, reception staff, apprentices
  • Customers and members of the public — waiting areas, vehicle handover points
  • Contractors — tyre fitters, windscreen repair technicians, electricians
  • Anyone with a disability or who may need assistance to evacuate

Step 3: Evaluate, Remove, Reduce and Protect

For each hazard you identify, decide whether you can remove it entirely. Where you cannot, decide what controls are needed.

Typical controls for garage fire hazards include:

  • Hot works permit system: Any welding, cutting, or grinding outside a designated welding bay must be controlled by a permit-to-work system. The permit should specify the area, the work to be done, fire precautions required, and a sign-off check after completion
  • Separation of flammable storage: Petrol, solvents, and aerosols must be stored in dedicated fire-rated cabinets or stores, away from ignition sources. Domestic-style shelving is not acceptable for flammable liquids
  • LEV and spray-booth compliance: If you operate a spray booth, it must meet the requirements of COSHH and DSEAR. Filters must be changed regularly, and the booth must not be used as a storage area
  • Battery charging area: Lead-acid battery charging produces hydrogen gas. Charging must take place in a well-ventilated area, away from ignition sources, with electrical equipment suitable for the environment
  • Housekeeping: Oily rags must be disposed of in metal containers with lids. Combustible waste must not accumulate. Floors must be kept clear of oil spills — these are both a slip and a fire risk
  • Vehicle drop-off checks: Ask customers whether they have any LPG-powered equipment or known fuel leaks in the vehicle. Place drip trays under vehicles with known leaks

Step 4: Record Your Findings

Your fire risk assessment must be recorded in writing. A suitable record includes:

  • A description of the premises and its use
  • The name and position of the person carrying out the assessment
  • The date of the assessment
  • A list of significant hazards identified
  • The people at risk
  • Existing controls and their adequacy
  • A prioritised action plan with target dates
  • A review date

If you have fewer than five employees, recording is not strictly a legal requirement, but it is strongly recommended. Without a written record, you cannot easily demonstrate compliance to an enforcing officer.

Step 5: Review and Update

Your fire risk assessment is not a one-off exercise. You must review it:

  • At least annually
  • Whenever a significant change occurs — new equipment, changed layout, new types of vehicles being repaired
  • After an incident or near-miss
  • When the DSEAR risk assessment identifies a change in hazard profile

Common Enforcement Issues in Garage Fire Safety

Fire and Rescue Authorities inspect vehicle repair premises regularly. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) guidance highlights several common issues found during inspections:

1. Inadequate flammable liquid storage — storing petrol or solvents in domestic containers, failure to use fire-rated cabinets, or storing incompatible substances together 2. No hot works permit system — welding or grinding carried out without any documented risk control, often leading to enforcement action under Article 32 of the RRO 2005 3. Blocked or obstructed escape routes — vehicles parked on access routes, storage spilling into gangways, or extraction ductwork obstructing exits 4. Missing or inadequate fire detection — reliance on a single domestic smoke alarm in a workshop environment where it will be prone to false alarms from exhaust fumes 5. Failure to maintain fire-fighting equipment — extinguishers not serviced annually, fire blankets missing or mounted incorrectly, or the wrong extinguisher types provided 6. Poor electrical safety management — no record of fixed-wire testing (EICR), excessive use of extension leads, and no PAT testing programme for portable tools and equipment

In the year ending March 2025, fire and rescue services in England issued 3,501 enforcement notices under the RRO 2005, with industrial premises — including automotive workshops — consistently among the top three sectors receiving enforcement action (Home Office, Fire Statistics England 2023-24). Fire authorities are inspecting, and they are enforcing.

Fire Extinguishers for Vehicle Repair Garages

Your fire risk assessment must determine the appropriate fire extinguisher provision. In a vehicle repair garage, you should consider:

  • Foam extinguishers (or water with additive): suitable for vehicle fires involving fuels
  • Powder extinguishers: effective on vehicle fires and flammable liquid spills, but should be used with caution in enclosed spaces due to visibility and respiratory concerns
  • CO2 extinguishers: suitable for electrical fires, including battery charging equipment and electrical panels
  • Wet chemical extinguishers: required if a commercial kitchen or staff canteen is present
  • Fire blanket: essential in every workshop area where hot works or fuel handling takes place

Extinguishers must be maintained in accordance with BS 5306-4, serviced annually by a competent person, and located in accessible, visible positions on escape routes.

The Role of Staff Training

Under Article 21 of the RRO 2005, the Responsible Person must provide adequate fire safety information, instruction, and training to employees. In a garage environment, this means:

  • All staff must know how to raise the alarm and what to do on hearing it
  • Staff carrying out hot works must understand the permit system and the fire precautions required
  • At least one person on each shift should be trained as a fire warden or marshal, responsible for checking the premises and assisting evacuation
  • Training must be repeated periodically and recorded. A one-off induction is not sufficient

Fire Risk Assessment for Automotive Workshops within Larger Premises

If your garage operates as part of a larger site — for example, a vehicle maintenance unit on a farm, within a depot, or as part of a larger industrial estate — the RRO 2005 requires coordination. Article 22 of the Order states that where two or more Responsible Persons share premises, they must cooperate and coordinate their fire safety measures.

This means:

  • The site-wide fire risk assessment must account for your activity
  • Shared escape routes must be maintained and free of obstruction from your operation
  • You must share information about significant hazards — for example, if you are storing LPG or using oxy-acetylene
  • The site emergency plan must cover your area

How HawkSwift Can Help

Vehicle repair garages and automotive workshops require a fire risk assessment that understands the specific hazards of the trade — from hot works and flammable liquids to vehicle fuel loads and DSEAR zoning. A generic compliance checklist will not cover what a fire safety inspector expects to see.

At HawkSwift Ltd, our NEBOSH-qualified assessors conduct fire risk assessments across all 395 business types, including automotive workshops and vehicle repair premises. We follow the PAS 79-1 methodology, provide court-defensible reports within 5 working days, and include a prioritised action plan so you know exactly what to fix and when.

Assessments start from £199 + VAT for small, low-risk premises. Our instant online quote gives you a fixed price before you book — no hidden fees, no upselling.

To arrange your garage or workshop fire risk assessment, book a survey with our team today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I legally need a fire risk assessment for my garage or workshop?

Yes. Under Article 9 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person for any non-domestic premises — including vehicle repair garages and automotive workshops — must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment in place. Failure to do so is a criminal offence.

Can I do my own fire risk assessment for my garage?

You may carry out your own assessment if you are competent to do so. Competence means you have sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to identify fire hazards and evaluate risks specific to a garage environment — including DSEAR hazards, hot works risks, and flammable liquid storage. For most garage owners, engaging a professional assessor with automotive sector experience is the safer option.

How often should a garage fire risk assessment be reviewed?

At least once every 12 months. You should also review it immediately after any significant change — installing a new spray booth, changing workshop layout, taking on new types of vehicle work, or after a fire incident or near-miss.

What extinguishers does a vehicle repair garage need?

At a minimum: foam or powder extinguishers for fuel risks, CO2 extinguishers for electrical areas, and a fire blanket in any area where hot works or fuel handling takes place. The exact provision must be determined by your fire risk assessment. All extinguishers must be serviced annually to BS 5306-4.

Do I need a DSEAR assessment for my garage?

If you store or use dangerous substances — including petrol, LPG, solvents, spray paints, or aerosol canisters — you must comply with the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. This typically includes identifying explosive atmospheres, zoning areas, and controlling ignition sources. Your fire risk assessment should reference the DSEAR assessment.

Is hot works welding covered by my fire risk assessment?

Yes. Welding, grinding, cutting, and brazing are hot works that present a significant ignition risk. Your fire risk assessment must address how these are controlled — typically through a permit-to-work system, segregation, and post-work checks. This is one of the first things a fire safety inspector will ask about in a garage.

*This guide provides general fire safety guidance, not formal legal advice. For a definitive assessment of your premises, book a fire risk assessment with HawkSwift Ltd.*

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