FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT IN A CLINIC/SURGERY on 0800 776 5018 in the UK

Posted on 21st April, 2026

A Fire Risk Assessment required in a Clinic or Surgery in the United Kingdom
 
 
Yes. A fire risk assessment is a legal requirement for a clinic or surgery (GP practice, dental practice, medical centre or similar) in the United Kingdom. These are non-domestic workplaces, so fire safety law applies in full.
 
 
The duty sits with the responsible person (usually the employer/practice partners, or the person who has control of the premises). You must carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the fire risks to people, put appropriate precautions in place, and keep the assessment under review.Legislation by nation
  • England and Wales: Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (as amended). From 1 October 2023 (section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022) the assessment must be recorded in writing regardless of the number of employees. Fire safety arrangements must also be recorded.
     
     
  • Scotland: Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The duty holder must assess fire risk. Significant findings must be recorded if there are five or more employees (or other specified conditions apply); recording is still strongly recommended in all cases.
  • Northern Ireland: Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010. Similar “appropriate person” duties apply.
Official sector guidance for healthcare premises (hospitals, medical centres, clinics and surgeries) is the Home Office guide Fire safety risk assessment: healthcare premises (England; last updated September 2023). NHS Firecode documents (HTM 05-01 on management and HTM 05-03 Part K on assessments in more complex premises) provide additional healthcare-specific advice. Smaller or simpler GP surgeries and clinics do not need to apply every process used in large hospitals; the approach should be proportionate.
 
 
CQC inspectors in England routinely ask for the current fire risk assessment, action plan, maintenance records and drill records under Regulation 15 (premises and equipment) as part of the “Safe” key question. Equivalent regulators in the other nations also expect evidence of fire safety arrangements.What the assessment must coverUse the standard five-step process:
  1. Identify fire hazards (ignition sources such as electrical equipment, heating and cooking; fuel such as furniture, paper and waste; oxygen sources including medical gases).
  2. Identify people at risk (staff, patients, visitors and anyone who may need help to evacuate — for example people with limited mobility, those undergoing treatment or using oxygen).
  3. Evaluate the risks, remove or reduce them where possible, and decide what fire precautions are needed (detection and alarm, means of escape, emergency lighting, extinguishers, compartmentation, signage, etc.).
  4. Record the findings, prepare an emergency plan and train staff.
  5. Review the assessment regularly and whenever there is a significant change.
     
     
Particular points for clinics and surgeries include:
  • Vulnerable or dependent patients who cannot self-evacuate quickly.
  • Medical oxygen and other oxidising gases (these also engage DSEAR considerations).
  • Converted buildings that may have inner rooms, single staircases or inadequate fire doors.
  • Need for Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) where relevant.
Review and competenceThere is no fixed statutory interval, but good practice (and CQC expectation) is to review at least annually and after any significant change (alterations, new equipment, change of use or occupancy, a fire or near-miss).The assessment must be carried out by a competent person. For a very small, simple, low-risk single-storey surgery a trained practice manager may be able to use the official 5-step checklist. In most cases it is advisable to use a competent fire risk assessor (third-party certified schemes such as BAFE SP205 exist). Complex or higher-risk premises generally require a specialist.
 
 
Related duties you will also need
  • Written emergency plan and staff training (including fire wardens where appropriate).
  • Regular fire drills (at least annually) with records.
  • Maintenance and testing of alarms, emergency lighting, extinguishers and fire doors, with a log book.
  • Clear escape routes that are never blocked.
Enforcement is by the local Fire and Rescue Service. Failure to have a suitable assessment or to act on its findings can lead to enforcement notices, prohibition notices, unlimited fines or imprisonment.Official starting points:

 

If the premises are shared or leased, clarify in writing who is responsible for which parts of the building. A generic or outdated assessment will not meet the “suitable and sufficient” legal test.
 
CALL 0800 776 5018 to obtain a price for a Fire Risk Assessment or to book an appointment . E Mail : sales@fireinspector.co.uk
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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