Fire Risk Assessments · England & Wales · From £199 + VAT
If people work, visit or sleep in your premises, the law expects a fire risk assessment. Yours.
Not a nice-to-have. Not something to get round to. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Responsible Person for almost every non-domestic premises must have one — and keep it current. The duty sits with a named human being, and that person is usually you.
NEBOSH-qualified assessors · Report within 5 working days of survey · Fixed fee agreed before we arrive
Quick Answer
A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A competent person inspects your premises, identifies fire hazards and at-risk people, then produces a written report with an action plan. The duty falls on the Responsible Person — usually the owner or manager.
What a fire risk assessment actually is
A competent person walks your premises, identifies what could start a fire and who it could hurt, then records exactly what you're doing — and still need to do — to keep people safe. It covers ignition sources, fuel loads, detection and alarms, escape routes, emergency lighting, fire doors, signage, evacuation plans and the people most at risk.
The output is a written report with an action plan: what to fix, in what order, and why. Done properly (to PAS 79 methodology), it is the document that shows a fire officer, an insurer or a court that you took your duty seriously. Done badly — or not at all — it is the first thing they ask for after an incident.
Who needs one
Short answer: almost every business, landlord and organisation operating from non-domestic premises.
If your building sees employees, customers, tenants, patients, pupils or worshippers — you need one. The only real exception is a single private dwelling.
What happens if you don't have one
No drama — just the legal position. These are the consequences written into the Fire Safety Order and the outcomes insurers rely on.
Unlimited fines
Breaching the Fire Safety Order is a criminal offence. Courts can impose an unlimited fine — recent cases have run from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of pounds, plus costs.
Up to 2 years in prison
Serious breaches — particularly where they put people at risk of death or serious injury — carry a custodial sentence of up to two years for the Responsible Person. This is personal, not just corporate.
Prohibition notices
Fire and Rescue Authorities can serve a prohibition notice that closes your premises, or restricts how you use them, with immediate effect. No trading until the risk is fixed — the lost revenue is yours to absorb.
Enforcement notices
An enforcement notice legally compels you to fix identified failings by a deadline. Ignoring one is a separate criminal offence in its own right.
Insurance failure
Most commercial policies require you to comply with fire-safety law. No suitable and sufficient assessment can give an insurer grounds to reduce or refuse a fire claim — precisely when you need the payout most.
Civil claims
If someone is hurt and your fire precautions were inadequate, the criminal case is only the start. Civil injury claims from employees, tenants or visitors follow the same evidence trail.
Every one of those starts with the same question from an inspector, insurer or judge: "Show me your fire risk assessment." A fixed-fee assessment from £199 is the cheapest answer you will ever give to it.
What you get with HawkSwift
NEBOSH-qualified assessors
The person who walks your building holds the same qualification fire services respect — not a tick-box contractor.
PAS 79-aligned report
Structured to the recognised UK methodology, with a prioritised action plan you can actually work through.
5-working-day turnaround
Your written report lands within one business day of the survey. No waiting weeks while your renewal date passes.
Fixed fee, agreed upfront
From £199 + VAT for small premises. You know the cost before we arrive — no day-rate surprises.
Plain-English findings
We explain what matters and why, so you can brief staff and contractors without translating jargon.
Ongoing support
Questions after the report? You speak to the assessor who wrote it, not a call centre.
Fire risk assessment cost by property type
Fixed fees agreed before we arrive. All prices exclude VAT.
| Property Type | Typical Tier | From | Report Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Care Home | Enhanced | £849 – £1,499 | 5 working days |
| HMO (3+ flats) | Standard – Enhanced | £549 – £849 | 5 working days |
| School | Standard – Enhanced | £549 – £849 | 5 working days |
| Office (single floor) | Micro – Fast Track | £199 – £349 | 5 working days |
| Warehouse | Fast Track – Standard | £349 – £549 | 5 working days |
Prices based on single-building premises up to 30 beds/rooms. Multi-building or complex premises priced on survey.
How long does a fire risk assessment take?
From the moment we arrive to the report in your inbox.
Official guidance & legislation
HawkSwift assessments align with these authoritative sources:
Find your local assessment
Search any UK town, city or postcode district across England & Wales.
Get it done this week
One visit, one fixed fee, one report that keeps the law, your insurer and your conscience satisfied. England & Wales coverage from our Doncaster base.
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