Question 1

Is a fire risk assessment a legal requirement for my business?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, all non-domestic premises must have a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment carried out by a competent person. If you employ five or more people, the assessment must be recorded in writing. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, prohibition notices, and personal prosecution of the Responsible Person.

Question 2

How often should a fire risk assessment be carried out?

Accepted Answer

There is no single fixed interval in law — instead, your fire risk assessment must remain suitable and sufficient at all times. In practice, an annual review is considered best practice for most premises. It should also be reviewed immediately following any significant change to your building, occupancy, processes, or fire safety systems, and after any fire-related incident.

Question 3

How often do fire doors need to be inspected?

Accepted Answer

Best practice guidance recommends a formal fire door inspection by a competent person at least every six months for most premises. High-traffic doors may require quarterly inspection. In residential buildings over 11 metres in height, communal fire doors must be inspected at least every three months and flat entrance doors annually, under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. Fire doors should also be inspected following any building work, after a fire or smoke incident, and whenever damage or a fault is reported.

Question 4

Who can carry out a fire risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

A fire risk assessment must be carried out by a competent person — someone with the knowledge, training, and experience to identify fire hazards and assess risk accurately. For most businesses, this means appointing an accredited external assessor. Wyvern Risk Management's principal assessor holds a Tier 3 National Fire Risk Assessor qualification, a Level 4 Diploma in Fire Risk Assessment, and BAFE SP205 third-party accreditation backed by UKAS.

Question 5

Who can carry out a fire door inspection?

Accepted Answer

Fire door inspections must only be carried out by a competent person with specialist knowledge and recognised third-party accreditation. The law expects independent, qualified inspectors — not general contractors or maintenance staff. Choosing a provider accredited under BAFE SP205 with UKAS oversight is the most reliable way to secure legal compliance and produce documentation that will withstand scrutiny from fire authorities, insurers and courts. Wyvern Risk Management holds BAFE SP205 accreditation with UKAS backing, alongside SSAIB, FPA, FIA and IFSM memberships.

Question 6

What areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

Wyvern Risk Management provides fire risk assessments and fire door inspections across Bristol, Bath, Bath & North East Somerset (including Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Saltford), Gloucester, Cardiff, Newport, Exeter, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, and the wider South West of England.

Question 7

What accreditations does Wyvern Risk Management hold?

Accepted Answer

Wyvern Risk Management is accredited to BAFE SP205 standard, backed by UKAS — the gold standard for third-party certified fire risk service providers in the UK. We are additionally certified by SSAIB, FPA (Fire Protection Association) and FIA (Fire Industry Association), and hold professional membership of the Institute of Fire Safety Managers (IFSM). Our principal assessor also holds a Tier 3 Nationally Accredited Fire Risk Assessor qualification, Level 4 Diploma (ABBE) in Fire Risk Assessment, Level 3 Award (ABBE) Fire Door Inspector, and is a Graduate of the Institution of Fire Engineers.

Question 8

How much does a fire door inspection cost?

Accepted Answer

Costs vary depending on the number of fire doors, the property type, its age and location. Wyvern Risk Management provides competitive, transparent pricing with no hidden charges. Contact us on 0800 593 0916 or at info@wyvernriskmanagement.co.uk for a no-obligation quote tailored specifically to your building.

Question 9

Do I need a fire door inspection for a residential block of flats?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If your residential building is over 11 metres in height, you are legally required under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 to carry out regular fire door inspections of both communal doors (at least every three months) and flat entrance doors (annually). The Responsible Person — typically the landlord, freeholder or managing agent — is legally accountable for ensuring these inspections are carried out by a competent, accredited inspector.

Question 10

What happens if my fire doors fail inspection?

Accepted Answer

Our inspectors will provide a detailed written report clearly identifying all deficiencies and prioritised remedial actions. You can then arrange repairs through a competent fire door contractor. We advise on which issues present the greatest risk so you can address critical failures first, and we can re-inspect following remediation to confirm compliance has been achieved.

Question 11

Can fire door inspections or fire risk assessments be carried out in occupied buildings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our inspectors and assessors are experienced in working in occupied commercial premises, residential blocks, HMOs, care homes and schools with minimal disruption to staff, tenants and customers. We work flexibly to your schedule and can carry out inspections outside normal business hours where required.

Question 12

What is the difference between a fire door inspection and a fire risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

A fire risk assessment is a broad evaluation of all fire hazards, risks and safety measures across your entire premises, required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. A fire door inspection is a specialist, dedicated assessment of individual fire door sets to verify their condition, compliance and correct installation to the required standard. Both are required for most businesses and landlords — they complement each other but are not interchangeable. Wyvern Risk Management provides both services.

Question 13

How much does a fire risk assessment cost?

Accepted Answer

Fire risk assessments start from £350 + VAT for straightforward premises. The final cost depends on the size, complexity and occupancy type of your property. Wyvern Risk Management provides a free, no-obligation fixed quote before any work begins — call us on 0800 593 0916 to discuss your requirements.

Question 14

Do you provide fire door inspections for care homes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Wyvern Risk Management provides specialist accredited fire door inspections for registered care homes and residential care facilities across Bristol, Bath and the South West. Our reports are CQC-ready and prepared with a clear understanding of the sector's specific compliance requirements and inspection frameworks.

Question 15

Do you provide fire door inspections for schools and academies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide accredited fire door inspections for schools, academies and Multi-Academy Trusts across Bristol, Bath and the South West. Inspections are carried out with minimal disruption to teaching and daily operations, and come with full compliance documentation suitable for DfE and local authority requirements.

Our Blog | Fire Safety News, Advice & Guidance

Read the latest news, advice and guidance from Wyvern Risk Management, covering fire safety, fire risk assessments, fire door inspections, compliance updates, industry best practice and sector-specific insights for landlords, businesses, managing agents and property professionals.

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Our Blog | Fire Safety News, Advice & Guidance

Read the latest news, advice and guidance from Wyvern Risk Management, covering fire safety, fire risk assessments, fire door inspections, compliance updates, industry best practice and sector-specific insights for landlords, businesses, managing agents and property professionals.

Category

By month

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