Fire risk assessments for shops and retail

Why shops need a fire risk assessment

Every shop is covered by the Fire Safety Order. Shops often combine members of the public unfamiliar with the building, large amounts of stock and packaging, and back-of-house areas where rubbish and deliveries build up.

Shops with flats above

Across Sussex, many shops have homes above them. A fire in the shop at night could put people upstairs at serious risk. We look at the separation between the shop and the flats, whether residents have a protected way out, and how the owners of each part work together.

Practical advice you can act on

We'll give you a prioritised action plan that fits the way you trade, with simple, low-cost steps first.

What we check

• Escape routes through the shop floor and stockrooms
• Storage of stock, packaging and waste
• Separation between the shop and any flats above
• Fire alarm and detection
• Emergency lighting and exit signs
• Electrical equipment, lighting displays and heaters
• Arson risk from bins and rear yards
• Staff training and evacuation procedures

Why choose RockSure

• Led by Simon Fuller, a qualified lawyer bringing extensive enforcement and compliance experience, including property management, health and safety, and fire safety
• Approachable, helpful and practical: we take the stress out of the process
• Member of the Fire Protection Association (qualified to Level 3)
• Independent: we don't sell fire extinguishers, alarms or remedial works, so our recommendations aren't tied to selling you equipment
• Fixed prices from £185, with no hidden extras
• Reports typically ready within 3 days
• Plain-English action plans that put the most important things first

Where we work

Brighton Hove Eastbourne Lewes Hastings Crawley Horsham Chichester Haywards Heath Burgess Hill East Grinstead Hassocks Bognor Regis Arundel

Common questions