FIRE SAFETY, CLEARLY EXPLAINED.LONDON & ESSEX
SENTINELFIRE SAFETY UK

FOR THE PLACES YOU DO BUSINESS

Your business matters.
So does its fire safety.

Practical fire risk assessments for shops, offices, workshops and small to medium commercial premises.

Discuss your premises
Illustrative British independent shop exterior

SHOPS & RETAIL

Advice that understands
the way you trade.

A local shop can have a lot happening in a small space: stock deliveries, displays, customers, storage and staff activity. The assessment considers the premises as they are used, including the effect of stock and layout on escape and fire precautions.

For hardware shops and similar retailers, tell us about the materials you store or sell. Products such as flammable liquids, aerosols or gas cylinders may require particular consideration and specialist advice.

  • Sales areas, back rooms and stock storage
  • Routes used by customers and staff
  • Existing alarm and firefighting arrangements
  • Day-to-day procedures and available maintenance records

OFFICES, WORKSHOPS & COMMERCIAL SPACES

Proportionate to the premises.
Focused on the people.

We support owners, employers and managers of smaller workplaces with a clear assessment and practical priorities. Small floor area does not automatically mean low risk: activities, occupancy and layout all matter.

Tell us about your operations, any machinery or processes, and how the premises connect with neighbouring units. We can discuss the appropriate assessment scope before quoting.

SHARED & MIXED-USE BUILDINGS

Consider the whole picture.

A shop below a flat or a unit within a shared building needs careful attention to the people and spaces around it. Fire safety arrangements may need to be coordinated with landlords, managing agents and other responsible persons.

Let us know about residential accommodation above, shared exits or common parts. We will discuss the relevant interfaces and any information or specialist input needed.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

A clear starting point
for ongoing fire safety.

The responsible person must make sure a suitable and sufficient assessment is carried out and kept current, appropriate measures are maintained, and staff receive relevant information and training. The findings and fire safety arrangements must be recorded, including for small businesses.

The assessment helps you identify and manage the work needed. Acting on the findings and maintaining the arrangements remain essential.

Further guidance

Official information on the responsibilities that may apply to your premises.

Fire safety in the workplace

YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

A few useful answers.

Straightforward information to help you take the next step.

Do you assess small independent shops?

Yes. Smaller retail premises, including hardware shops, are a central part of our service. Email a brief description, postcode and approximate size.

Can a business with fewer than five employees need a written assessment?

Yes. The old employee-number threshold for recording findings no longer applies. Responsible persons must record the assessment findings and fire safety arrangements.

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR PREMISES

A clearer way forward
for your fire safety.

Tell us about your property and the help you need.
We’ll explain the next steps.

Request an assessment