Fire risk assessments are carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, to understand the likelihood of a fire starting and the level of harm a fire would cause to the people living in a building.
We carry out fire risk assessments in communal areas of our flats, such as staircases and landings, and make upgrades as necessary.
Fire risk assessments are required in blocks of flats in the UK to identify and mitigate fire hazards in communal areas, protecting residents from fire and ensuring the building meets legal safety standards. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 legally mandates these assessments to check for issues like fire prevention measures, escape routes, fire doors, and smoke alarms. The goal is to protect occupants by minimizing the risk of fire, preventing its spread, and ensuring everyone can safely escape if a fire does occur.
Key reasons for fire risk assessments
- legal compliance: The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 makes fire risk assessments a legal requirement for the "responsible person" (e.g., landlord, building manager) in all multi-occupancy buildings
- identify hazards: The assessment identifies potential fire hazards within the common areas of the building, such as risks from faulty electrical installations, flammable materials in storage, or blocked escape routes
- ensure safety measures: It evaluates existing safety provisions and recommends necessary improvements, such as ensuring fire doors are correctly installed and maintained, and that emergency lighting is functional
- protect residents: The primary purpose is to protect the lives of residents by putting in place measures to:
- reduce the risk of fire starting: For example, by checking electrical sockets or providing 'no smoking' signs
- reduce the risk of fire spreading: By ensuring fire doors and compartmentation (like fire-stopped walls) are in place
- alert residents to a fire: Through working smoke alarms and an effective warning system
- help people get out: By keeping escape routes clear
- inform people what to do: By establishing an emergency plan
- document due diligence: The assessment provides crucial documentation that proves the responsible person has taken reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the building and its occupants
- address changing risks: Assessments must be reviewed and updated regularly, especially after any building modifications, changes in occupancy, or if there is reason to suspect the existing assessment is no longer valid
Fire safety in communal areas
We are responsible for the communal areas in our flats - we have a duty to make sure you can safely escape in an emergency.
As the staircases are also the routes for the fire service to get in to help you, we have to be strict about what you can leave or store in the stairwells and landings.
- No flammable materials are to be stored, left or installed (carpets, curtains, flammable furniture) in communal areas
- No items should block escape routes - including anything chained to handrails or bulky items such as bikes or prams blocking the free passage along corridors or stairwells
Fire safety in your home
Most fires in the home can be prevented by taking some basic precautions. See our fire safety advice for further information.
Also see
Housing Capital Projects Team
Please contact the Housing Capital Projects Team by email, other than in an emergency or if you don't have access to email.