Fire Risk Assessment Preston
Book a fire risk assessment in Preston with Chartered Health & Safety Practitioner Mark Prince. He visits in person, works to a fixed fee and sends your written report within five working days, with a free follow-up call included.
- A free follow-up call to go through it
- Your report in 5 working days
- Fixed fees from £295
Request Your Preston Quote
Send us the address, what the building is used for and roughly how many people are in it day to day. Then Mark will reply with a fixed price and a few dates he can visit.
Fire Risk Assessment in Preston From a Chartered Practitioner
If you run a business, manage a building or let rooms in Preston, fire safety law treats you as the Responsible Person. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, you must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. What is more, it has to be carried out by someone competent, and since October 2023 the whole assessment must be recorded in writing.
Why Older Buildings Need a Careful Fire Risk Assessment in Preston
Preston’s city centre is full of buildings doing a different job from the one they were built for. The early 19th century town houses around Winckley Square now hold businesses and apartments. Similarly, upper floors above shops have been turned into offices and lettings. However, each change of use can affect escape routes, fire separation and alarm coverage. As a result, Mark checks how the building is used today, not how it was first designed.
The Fire Service Is Close By
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service has its headquarters on Garstang Road in Fulwood. In addition, its fire safety inspectors enforce the Fire Safety Order across the county, so your written assessment needs to stand up when they ask for it.
A Chartered Preston Fire Risk Assessment, Done in Person
Marksafety is a Chartered Health & Safety Practice based in Poulton-le-Fylde, a short drive along the M55. In fact, Mark has more than 20 years’ experience and carries out every visit himself. You can also read how our approach works on the main fire risk assessment page.
Not sure where to start? Speak to Mark free for 30 minutes and leave with a clear plan and a fixed price.
Preston HMO Fire Risk Assessments and Licence Conditions
In particular, shared housing is where Preston’s rules are most specific. For instance, if you hold an HMO licence, the fire risk assessment is not a one-off. Instead, it is a condition you have to keep meeting every year.
What Preston HMO Licences Ask of Your Fire Risk Assessment
Preston City Council’s HMO licence conditions require the licence holder to produce a written fire risk assessment for inspection and review it annually. Alongside this, the council asks for a log of weekly fire alarm tests and an annual emergency lighting inspection certificate. In addition, a Grade A alarm system needs its own annual inspection certificate too.
Annual Reviews Without the Rush
The council expects each review within seven days of the previous assessment running out. So Mark can diarise your review date and carry out the update before the deadline. That way you are never chasing paperwork at the last minute.
Workplace Fire Risk Assessment in Preston
This covers offices, shops, salons, workshops and units on business parks. During the visit, Mark checks escape routes, fire doors, alarms, emergency lighting, storage and ignition sources, then gives you a prioritised action list. Overall, workplace and HMO assessments start from £325.
Fire Risk Assessment for Shared Communal Areas in Preston
- Type 1: communal areas only, non-destructive, from £295
- Type 3: communal areas and individual dwellings, non-destructive, from £325
Holding a licence and unsure what applies? Send Mark your licence conditions on WhatsApp and he’ll tell you exactly what your assessment needs to cover.
How Your Preston Fire Risk Assessment Works
Above all, getting your fire risk assessment done should be straightforward. Here is how it works with Marksafety.
Pick a Date That Suits You
First, choose a time online or by message. Out of hours appointments are available, so you don’t need to close the shop or disturb tenants.
The Walk-Round
Next, Mark goes through every area of the premises, including stores, plant rooms and escape routes. Meanwhile, he asks about how many people use the building, who might need help getting out and how you test your alarms.
Your Preston Fire Risk Assessment Report and Action Plan
After the visit, within five working days you receive your Preston fire risk assessment by email. All findings are written in plain English, and each action is ranked by priority, so you can budget for the work sensibly.
Free Follow-Up and Amendments
After that, a free online call lets you ask questions and agree any changes to the report. In short, you finish knowing what the assessment says and why.
Credentials You Can Check
Finally, Mark Prince is an award-winning Chartered Health & Safety Practitioner. Marksafety holds IOSH membership, appears on the OSHCR consultants register and is accredited by the Institute of Fire Safety Managers. He is also the author of Six Essential Elements, which is a practical guide to running safety in a small business. See every Marksafety accreditation.
Ready to get it booked? See Mark’s available survey dates and pick one that works for you.
Keeping Your Preston Fire Risk Assessment Up to Date
Once it is done, your fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and straight away after any significant change. For example, a refit, new machinery, a change of use or a jump in staff numbers can all make the old assessment out of date.
Buildings With Several Households
If your Preston fire risk assessment covers a building with two or more domestic premises, the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 add duties. For example, these include giving residents fire safety instructions and information about fire doors. The government’s fire safety guidance sets out the wider responsibilities for workplaces.
Fire Marshal Training Alongside Your Fire Risk Assessment
Often, an assessment shows staff need to know their role in an evacuation. So we deliver onsite fire marshal and evac chair training from £30 per person. On top of that, we cover DSE assessments, workplace inspections and awareness courses through our other safety services.
Support That Carries On
If you’d like Mark on hand all year, our monthly safety subscriptions give you ongoing advice and reviews. Local businesses, including Alchemy in Preston, share their experience in our client reviews.
Add Training to Your Visit
That way, you can book both together and save a second trip. Call 01253 367094 or send your details online. As a rule, we’re open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Fire Risk Assessment Preston FAQs
Before you book, it helps to know what to expect. Here Mark answers the questions Preston business owners, HMO landlords and managing agents ask him most.
How much is a fire risk assessment in Preston?
Marksafety’s fixed fees start at £295 for a Type 1 communal area assessment and £325 for workplaces, HMOs and Type 3 assessments. However, larger or more complex buildings are priced individually. Either way, you get the fee in writing before Mark visits.
Does Preston City Council need to see my HMO fire risk assessment?
Yes. Preston’s HMO licence conditions require the licence holder to produce a written fire risk assessment to the council for inspection and to review it annually. Because of this, keep the latest version with your weekly alarm test log so you can provide both quickly.
How long does the site visit take?
It depends on the size and layout of the building. Generally, most smaller premises are covered in a single visit, and Mark will tell you roughly how long to allow when he confirms your booking.
What is the difference between a Type 1 and Type 3 fire risk assessment?
A Type 1 assessment looks at the communal areas of a residential building, such as hallways, stairs and entrances, without opening up the structure. By contrast, a Type 3 includes those areas plus a sample of the individual dwellings, which helps where fire separation between homes is in doubt.
Does a fire risk assessment cover my alarms and fire doors?
Yes, it checks that alarms, emergency lighting and fire doors are suitable, maintained and in good condition. However, it does not replace the servicing and certificates your alarm or emergency lighting engineer provides.
What happens if I don’t have a fire risk assessment?
The fire service can issue enforcement or prohibition notices. Serious breaches of the Fire Safety Order can lead to prosecution, an unlimited fine and, in the worst cases, imprisonment. Besides this, insurers may also question a claim without one.
Got a question about your own building? Call 01253 367094 and Mark will give you a straight, no-obligation answer.
Mark guides through the minefield of health & safety with simple, practical tools and advice. Having Mark’s skills and expertise while starting my business has been a huge help.
Nick
Jones Property Solutions, Kirkham
Mark delivers in a way that makes me feel at ease. with his friendly yet professional approach I highly recommend his work.
Paul
Alchemy, Preston
Schedule A Virtual Coffee
Based in Poulton-le-Fylde, covering Preston
Call 01253 367094
Practice hours 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Out of hours appointments available
Nearby areas: Fulwood, Ashton-on-Ribble, Penwortham, Longridge, Broughton, Bamber Bridge, Leyland and Kirkham