Price is the number one influencer for many people buying any product or service.

But when choosing an assessor to carry out your fire risk assessment for you, make sure you consider the right factors. Competency is far more important than value for money.

The price of an actual fire risk assessment can vary drastically. And you can expect to pay anything between £200 and £1,300.

This may seem like a drastic difference in price. But it is because there are many elements which can have an impact on the price you pay.

What Can Influence The Price?

Common factors which impact on the cost of your fire risk assessment include:

Size of the building
Number of occupants
Vulnerability of occupants
Use of the premises
Number of floors
Sleeping occupants
Risk level of premises

This is because these will have an influence over how long it will take an assessor, and how many potential risks they may have to consider.

For example, a small village shop should not take a great deal of time and will present few risks. As a result, you may expect to pay in the region of £300.

However, for a large school or academy with over a thousand pupils, it is likely to be towards the higher end of the scale. That’s because of the variety of risks which are present, the high number of potential occupants, and size of the building.

Price Isn’t Everything

If you’re quoted a price which seems too good to be true, then it’s likely that it is. A fire risk assessment is far more than just getting a piece of paper.

The danger of a cheap and cheerful assessment is that potential hazards can get missed. And as a consequence of the correct action not being taken, it’s possible that it could lead to a fire.

A risk assessment looks at the premises as a whole and takes into consideration the potential risks. It will also take into account the needs of those who may find themselves involved.

Plus it will ensure correct precautions are in place should a fire break out. These include having appropriate firefighting equipment, along with a safe means of exit and a method for raising the alarm.

A qualified assessor will then provide recommendations for any improvements that are necessary. These will ensure that you reduce the likelihood of a fire starting, and should a fire start, the lives of any occupants are not endangered.

Fire Risk Assessments And The Law

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that every non-domestic premises has a fire risk assessment.

Any premises which is a workplace, somewhere the public can access, and residential buildings with multiple occupants needs one.

If you hire five or more people, then there needs to be a written record. However, even if you have fewer employees, you still need to be able to provide proof of this.

It should then be reviewed every year, and whenever a major change in the building layout or use has occurred.

Failure to comply with the legislation can result in a fine of up to £5,000, or imprisonment of the ‘responsible person’. This is the owner or manager of the premises.

If you have had a poor fire risk assessment, then it can also mean you’re on the wrong side of the law. That’s why it is vital that it is carried out by a competent person.

Having yours completed by a professionally qualified fire risk assessor ensures this is the case.

Not only can it save you a headache, but it saves time, money, and potentially lives.