
A Fire Risk Assessment required in an Industrial Unit or Warehouse in the United Kingdom
Yes. A fire risk assessment is legally required for an industrial unit or warehouse anywhere in the United Kingdom. It is one of the core duties of the person who has control of the premises.Legal basis by nationEngland and Wales — Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (the Fire Safety Order).
The “responsible person” (normally the employer, occupier, owner or managing agent) must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, put in place general fire precautions, and keep the assessment under review.
From 1 October 2023, the entire assessment and the fire-safety arrangements must be recorded in writing for every premises — the old five-employee threshold no longer applies (Building Safety Act 2022, s.156).
Scotland — Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
Dutyholders must assess fire risk and implement fire-safety measures. Significant findings must be recorded where there are five or more employees, the premises are licensed, or an alterations notice requires it.Northern Ireland — Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Similar duties apply; a written record is required if there are five or more employees or the premises are licensed.Enforcement is by the local fire and rescue service. Failure that places people at risk of death or serious injury can lead to unlimited fines and up to two years’ imprisonment. Who must do itThe responsible person remains legally accountable even if they hire a consultant. They can carry out the assessment themselves only if they are competent. For most warehouses and industrial units a professionally qualified assessor is strongly recommended because of:
Scotland and Northern Ireland have equivalent practical fire-safety guidance for factories and storage premises.PAS 79-1:2020 is the widely used methodology for documenting non-housing fire risk assessments.Typical five-step process
The “responsible person” (normally the employer, occupier, owner or managing agent) must carry out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, put in place general fire precautions, and keep the assessment under review.
Dutyholders must assess fire risk and implement fire-safety measures. Significant findings must be recorded where there are five or more employees, the premises are licensed, or an alterations notice requires it.Northern Ireland — Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and Fire Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.
Similar duties apply; a written record is required if there are five or more employees or the premises are licensed.Enforcement is by the local fire and rescue service. Failure that places people at risk of death or serious injury can lead to unlimited fines and up to two years’ imprisonment. Who must do itThe responsible person remains legally accountable even if they hire a consultant. They can carry out the assessment themselves only if they are competent. For most warehouses and industrial units a professionally qualified assessor is strongly recommended because of:
- high fire-load (packaging, stored goods, plastics, paper)
- high-bay racking that can create vertical fire spread
- forklift charging (especially lithium-ion batteries)
- possible flammable liquids or dangerous substances (DSEAR may also apply)
- large open-plan spaces and long travel distances
- multi-occupancy units that require co-operation between landlord and tenants
- Identify fire hazards (ignition sources, fuel, oxygen).
- Identify people at risk (staff, contractors, visitors, people with disabilities, lone workers).
- Evaluate, remove or reduce the risks and decide whether existing precautions are adequate.
- Record the findings, prepare an emergency plan and train staff.
- Review regularly and whenever there is a significant change (new process, new tenant, refurbishment, fire or near-miss, change in storage height or materials).
- Storage height and racking layout versus sprinkler design and fire-service access.
- Compartmentation (or lack of it) in large open sheds.
- Arson risk and site security.
- Hot-work permits.
- Battery charging areas and electrical installations.
- Waste and packaging management.
- Co-ordination with other occupiers and the landlord in multi-let units.
- Overlap with health-and-safety process risk assessments (HSE) and, if relevant, DSEAR.
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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